Philippine Government and MILF Peace Mechanisms Move to Ease ‘Rido’ Tensions in SGA

MANILA, Sept 25 – The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have activated joint peace and ceasefire mechanisms to de-escalate tensions resulting from localized clan feuds (rido) in the Special Geographic Area (SGA).

According to the Government Peace Implementing Panel, key joint bodies—including the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), and Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs)—have been coordinating with local government units and MILF commanders since Sept. 16 to contain hostilities and protect civilians.

Government Peace Implementing Panel Chair and Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento reassured the public that joint ceasefire protocols remain fully intact.

“I want to assure the public, and most especially our brothers and sisters in the SGA, that the joint ceasefire mechanisms between the government and the MILF remain firmly in place,” Sarmiento stated. “Our joint peace mechanisms work tirelessly to ensure this, while actively assisting LGUs and local authorities in de-escalating ‘rido’ to reduce tension and keep our communities safe.”

Sarmiento also urged all involved parties on the ground to exercise maximum restraint and permit the peace mechanisms to complete their de-escalation work.

The joint intervention was initiated following armed clashes on Sept. 16 in Barangays Olandang and Kadingilan in the municipality of Nabalawag, where local clan fighting heightened security concerns across neighboring communities. In response, CCCH and JPST forces established safety perimeters for civilians and provided aid to internally displaced persons.

The panel also addressed a separate incident that occurred on Saturday in Barangay Balong, Tugunan. The panel clarified that the event stemmed from a legitimate law enforcement operation to serve an arrest warrant rather than the earlier rido.

Established GPH-MILF coordination protocols successfully prevented unintended confrontations between government troops and MILF combatants, as Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF-MILF) members repositioned away from the target area. Following the completion of crime-scene processing by the Philippine National Police, government units returned to headquarters by 4:00 PM the same day.

The peace mechanisms continue to maintain active coordination to prevent miscommunication and uphold stability following the historic first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections held on Sept. 14.

–NMT