Rappler's latest stories on peace process
Over 8,000 MILF fighters decommissioned in 2019 – OPAPP
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Assistant Secretary Wilven Mayor says a total of 12,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters will be decommissioned by 'early 2020'
[OPINION] Combatants, decommissioning, and lasting peace
We are now at a critical stage in the Mindanao peace process leading up to the fulfillment of the commitments made by both the government and the MILF
Mindanao closer to peace as MILF decommissions 12,000 fighters – gov't
President Rodrigo Duterte will lead a ceremony in Maguindanao on Saturday, September 7, as former rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front begin their transition to civilian life
Japan's top diplomat visits Duterte in Davao City
(UPDATED) Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono says Japan is ready to 'expand' support for the Mindanao peace process
Galvez appointment as Duterte adviser signals new peace mindset
The appointment of Carlito Galvez Jr also completes the retired generals' takeover of key posts handling peace, security, and delivery of government services
A month before Bangsamoro plebiscite, gov't entities sign deal on info drive
Poll watchdog Legal Network of Truthful Elections, however, criticizes the delay in the information and education drive in the Bangsamoro
Mindanao rights groups wary of Carlito Galvez as OPAPP chief
Human rights group Barug Katungod Mindanao expresses concern that military chief Carlito Galvez Jr would 'militarize the OPAPP and the peace process'
Duterte to appoint AFP chief Galvez as OPAPP chief
(UPDATED) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says President Duterte announced his post-retirement plan for General Carlito Galvez Jr at a Cabinet meeting
Peace process adviser Jesus Dureza resigns
(3rd UPDATE) The President says he is sad to accept the resignation of his friend and fellow Davaoeño Jesus Dureza. He also announced he has fired OPAPP Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshtern Donn Baccay.
AFP chief Galvez seeks OPAPP post after retirement
General Carlito Galvez Jr, a strong advocate of the peace process in Mindanao, says he wants to continue dialogues with rebel groups after his retirement on December 12
AFP to return P192.5-M Maguindanao road project fund
Some P192.5 million allotted for road projects in Maguindanao under the Pamana program is not utilized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Resumption of peace talks rescheduled – Dureza
President Rodrigo Duterte wants the public 'consulted' before he orders the formal resumption of peace talks with the Left
P6.3-M reward for tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death
The informant against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters bombmaker Basit Usman is one of several recipients of reward money totaling P27.6 million in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo
Colombia truth commission to 'heal wounds' of war, president says
The members include sociologists, journalists, doctors, economists, attorneys and clerics. The commission is headed by a Jesuit priest, Francisco de Roux, known for his human rights work.
Philippines holds 'informal' backchannel talks with communists
'We are doing our best to meet the deadline set by the President about the resumption of talks within 60 days,' Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III says
FULL TEXT: AFP chief Carlito Galvez Jr's speech at turnover rites
'While we give primacy to peace, we will never hesitate to use our might when innocent civilians are threatened and attacked,' says Armed Forces chief of staff General Carlito Galvez Jr
Peace adviser welcomes Sara Duterte’s opposition to resumption of peace talks
(UPDATED) Jesus Dureza says 'we should respect the statements of Mayor Sara because she knows also why she has to say it'
Ateneo presidents urge lawmakers to 'immediately' pass BBL
'We implore our legislators not to delay such passage any further,' Ateneo presidents across the country urge Congress
PH 'committed to peace,' Duterte tells Norway envoy
Norwegian special envoy Idun Tvedt stresses Norway's commitment 'to assist the Philippines in its peace process' with communist rebels
Joma Sison 'willing' to hold talks with Duterte
'In the interest of the Filipino people and for the sake and purpose of resuming the peace negotiations, I am willing to have serious conversations with President Duterte,' says the communist leader
2018 best time to pass Bangsamoro Basic Law – MILF
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front also cautions against making changes in the proposed measure that are not consistent with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
Duterte not confident BBL allowable by Constitution
President Rodrigo Duterte doesn't think the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law can 'hurdle constitutional barriers'
Dela Rosa on war on drugs, MILF on BBL, LTO revokes Lopez license | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Mara Cepeda
Lumad on equal footing with Moro in proposed entity – Iqbal
Mohagher Iqbal says laws that protect non-Islamized tribes will be recognized in the proposed Bangsamoro entity
MILF's peace deal with PH gov't different from NDF's, says Iqbal
'For us, what we’re asking is political settlement. We don’t care about the system of government. We don’t care who is running the government.'
Nepalis vote for stability in historic polls
This marks the final step of a drawn-out peace process, which began in 2006 with the end of the civil war
Sereno impeachment complaint, Peace Process canceled, Roque on human rights | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon
PH gov't cancels peace talks with communists again
(UPDATED) There will be no peace talks until a 'desired enabling environment' is evident, says Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza
Transition commission postpones Bangsamoro Assembly
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission does not specify the reason for the postponement of the event, originally scheduled November 3 to 4
Norway names new envoy to PH-NDF peace process
Special envoy Idun Tvedt 'has a high standing in the Norwegian Foreign Service,' says Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Førner
Marawi priest Chito Soganub rescued from Maute
(4th UPDATE) Marawi priest Father Teresito 'Chito' Soganub is rescued along with another hostage near Bato Mosque, one of 3 enemy strongholds that fell into government control over the past days
Pope prays for peace in Colombia, Venezuela
Pope Francis lands in Colombia to plead for lasting peace in a country moving towards the end of a half century war and prays for stability in its crisis stricken neighbor Venezuela
Colombia government, rebels hail pope-backed ceasefire
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and National Liberation Army ELN negotiators announce a ceasefire two days before a visit to Colombia by Pope Francis
Legarda declares support for peace talks with Reds
The Hague Joint Declaration that guides the framework of the peace process marks its 25th year
Elizabeth Clenci designated as PH peace ambassador
Elizabeth who is set to compete in the Miss Grand International pageant in Vietnam joins the ranks of the country s peace ambassadors
Why Duterte walked away from the table: A reflection on the NDF peace process
Did the 39;oligarchs 39; – big business owners and Mindanaoan political elites – gain anything from the collapse of the talks? What about the national security establishment? The answer I find is mixed
Arroyo files own bill creating Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
Arroyo files a bill as the House of Representatives awaits formal submission of the revised Bangsamoro Basic Law drafted by a body created by Malacañang
Duterte ready to formally end peace talks with Left
President Rodrigo Duterte says he is ready to sign a formal notice to terminate peace talks with the communists
Duterte: No talks until communists stop attacks vs gov't troops
UPDATED The government cancels backchannel talks supposed to happen in July following a clash between supposed NPA rebels and President Duterte s security aides
Gov’t, MILF call on public, lawmakers to support new Bangsamoro law
The Duterte government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launch a joint communications roadmap to pass the revised Bangsamoro Basic Law
Duterte to certify new Bangsamoro law as urgent
UPDATED I have requested both the Senate President and the Speaker to consider it immediately Duterte says during a media interview on Monday July 17 in Malacañang
[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: Ang kahibangan ng 5 taong batas militar ni Alvarez
Sawang-sawa na raw siya sa mga travel advisory na nagbababala sa mga nais tumapak sa Mindanao. Pero saang La La Land dadagsain ng turista ang isang lugar na nasa ilalim ng martial law?
Dureza hopes no more Palace 'tinkering' of BBL draft
The completed BBL draft created by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte on July 17
Duterte slams communists for NPA attacks despite promises
UPDATED The President also appeals to CPP founder Jose Maria Sison to ensure the success of the peace talks
MILF, Maute Group battle for legitimacy
The mountainous town of Butig is host to an MILF camp where its founding leader Hashim Salamat is buried It s also where the ISIS linked Maute Group trained its fighters before they targeted Marawi
Colombia FARC rebels complete disarmament – UN
The UN statement says the FARC had handed over all of its more than 7 000 weapons excluding those that under the roadmap will be used for security in the 26 camps until August 1
Shaken by bombing, Colombia pushes on with peace drive
Just as the FARC enters the final stretch in its long march to peace reminders of the old conflict erupt raising concerns for the contested peace drive
Commission finalizes Bangsamoro Basic Law draft
Government peace panel chairperson Irene Santiago hopes President Rodrigo Duterte will certify the bill as urgent in his second State of the Nation Address on July 24
One with Marawi
The life that was once carefully planned in preparation for a promising future has now taken a sudden turn and now one must make room for adjustments
Duterte tells communists, declare unilateral ceasefire or no talks
The President says he has given a lot of concessions it is the turn of the communist party to initiate a show of good faith
