Timeline: Peace talks with the MILF

1997

HIJAB RUN Muslim women and Army women personnel join the “Hijab Run” along Edsa in Quezon City to express support for the peace framework agreement set to be signed Monday by the chief negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malacañang. RICHARD A. REYES

Peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) begin, months after the government signs a peace accord with the Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

2008

July—After more than a decade of on-and-off talks, the government and the MILF announce an agreement to expand the autonomous Moro region in Mindanao.

Proposed memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, or MOA-AD, calls for a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) with its own “basic law,” police and internal security force, and system of banking and finance, civil service, education and legislative and electoral institutions, as well as full authority to develop and dispose of minerals and other natural resources.

The BJE includes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); six municipalities in Lanao del Norte; hundreds of villages in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato, which voted in 2001 to become part of the ARMM; and parts of Palawan.

Aug. 4—The Supreme Court stops signing of the MOA-AD, scheduled the following day, amid strong public opposition; clashes erupt in Mindanao.

Sept. 3—Violence prompts Malacañang to announce that it will not sign the MOA-AD and dissolve its peace panel.

Oct. 14—The Supreme Court, voting 8-7, declares the MOA-AD unconstitutional, describes the process that led to its crafting as “whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic.” It affirms its decision on Nov. 11, triggering MILF attacks on Christian communities in Mindanao that send 750,000 people fleeing their homes and leaving 400 dead.

2010

July 15—President Aquino assembles new panel to resume talks, names Marvic Leonen, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, as chair.

Aug. 31—The President announces that Malaysia will remain facilitator of the talks.

2011

Aug. 4—The President holds secret meeting with MILF chair Murad Ebrahim in Tokyo; two sides agree to speed up peace talks. The meeting is a first since the talks began in 1997.

Aug. 22—Exploratory talks begin in Kuala Lumpur.

Oct. 18—MILF forces clash with military troops in Al-Barka, Basilan, leaving 19 soldiers and six rebels dead.

Dec. 5—Formal talks resume in Kuala Lumpur.

2012

April 25—The government and the MILF panels announce agreement to create a new autonomous political entity to replace the ARMM.

Oct. 7—President says “framework agreement” reached with MILF to establish a new autonomous entity, to be called Bangsamoro, administered by Muslims. Compiled by Inquirer Research

Source: Inquirer Archives