MESSAGE OF PRESIDENTIAL PEACE ADVISER CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR. ON THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION’S COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS RESOLUTION TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR THE BANGSAMORO REGION

As-sa-la-mua-lai-kum!

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity extends its deepest gratitude to the Organization on Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for issuing a resolution last month calling on its member-countries to increase the support they are providing to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

OIC CFM Resolution No. 2/51-MM, which tackles “The Question of Muslims in the Southern Philippines,” is both timely and relevant considering the peace, security and development challenges the BARMM is currently facing and in light of the first BARMM Regional Parliamentary election scheduled on October 13, 2025.

This resolution is a testament of the OIC’s unwavering support to the Bangsamoro peace process over the years, particularly its desire to help build on and sustain the gains of peace in the region by promoting genuine dialogue and mutual understanding between the Government and the Philippines, leading Moro groups, and other key stakeholders.

We also welcome the OIC’s recognition of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., “for his strong commitments to push for unity, inclusivity, socioeconomic development and interventions to promote peace and development in the BARMM area.”

The OIC was instrumental in the forging of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), as well as the 1996 GPH-MNLF Final Peace Agreement, which aimed to fully implement the Jakarta Agreement and paved the way for the signing of other major peace accords.

Moreover, the OIC commended the Malaysian government for facilitating the signing of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the GPH and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which put an end to the decades-long armed conflict.

Further, the OIC has played a key role in the processes as well as the completion of the Tripartite Review Process (TRP), wherein the Philippine government and the MNLF were able to assess the progress made in the implementation of the 1996 FPA and provide recommendations on how to address challenges.

We would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to request the OIC to also support the implementation of the remaining commitments under the FPA as stipulated in the Joint Communique signed on 26 January 2026 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly the operationalization of the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Fund (BDAF) and the Tripartite Implementation Monitoring Committee (TIMC).

The BDAF and TIMC are two key mechanisms that are critical to the implementation of the 1996 FPA. Once they are fully operational, we believe that we shall be able to further accelerate the roll out of our peacebuilding and development interventions that will have a major impact on the lives of the Bangsamoro people.

We welcome the OIC’s support for the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as the new Interim Chief Minister (ICM) of the BARMM government, and the acknowledgement of the leadership of Murad Ebrahim as the former ICM.

We also expressed our gratitude to the OIC for Commending the Philippine government for the creation of the National Amnesty Commission.

We are also in one with the call of the OIC to strengthen the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum as a platform to harmonize the MNLF and MILF.

We wish to commend and thank the OIC, under the leadership of Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, for your unwavering commitment and steadfast support to the Bangsamoro peace process. We look forward to continue working with you in the coming years as we bring a just and lasting peace to our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters.

The Marcos administration is fully determined to advance the Bangsamoro peace process, as what President Marcos said during the 28th anniversary of the 1996 FPA last year: “For us to move forward as a strong, undivided nation, the government will continue to pursue a principled and peaceful resolution to internal armed conflicts, with neither blame nor surrender, but with dignity for all.”

Shukran!

By |2025-07-04T08:23:34+08:00July 4th, 2025|MILF, MNLF, Statements|0 Comments

Message of Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity on the Adoption of the National Action Plan on Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD)

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) welcomes the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 83 by the Office of the President, which formally adopts the National Action Plan on Peace, Unity, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025-2028.

The national government’s adoption of NAP-UPD is another major milestone in pushing forward, building on, and sustaining the gains achieved under the comprehensive Philippine peace process. In particular, it will be crucial in finally putting an end to the decades-long communist insurgency in the country.

The action plan will further advance the work of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its 12 sub-clusters to implement their interventions using a “Whole-of-Nation,” “Whole-of-Society” approach in dealing with the challenges brought about by the armed rebellion.

As the strategic blueprint harmonizing diverse governmental programs and other initiatives focused on peace and development, the NAP-UPD ensures that various line agencies, particularly those involved in localized peace efforts, will continue to work together – and at a deeper level – under a shared vision and set of objectives.

As co-chair of the NTF-ELCAC’s Local Peace Engagement (LPE) and E-CLIP and Amnesty Program Clusters, the OPAPRU believes that the action plan will enable the agency to effectively carry out all of its peacebuilding interventions under its LPE and Transformation Programs.

Through the action plan, we will be able to ramp up our efforts to capacitate and empower our local government units across the country so that they will be able take a more direct, proactive and ownership-driven approach in the implementation of interventions under our LPE and Transformation Programs.

Moreover, the NAP-UPD will enable the national government to expedite the processing of the applications for amnesty of former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front members who have laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law.

Finally, with the adoption of NAP-UPD, the national government is demonstrating its unwavering commitment to upholding the peace process and sending a clear and strong message – that it is not leaving any stone unturned in order to achieve its quest to bring a just and long-lasting peace to all Filipinos.

By |2025-06-03T13:41:11+08:00May 15th, 2025|Statements|0 Comments

EASTER MESSAGE OF SEC. CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR., PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND UNITY

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity joins the global Christian community in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice for He is Risen!

After a week of commemorating Christ’s painful journey to the cross, today, we celebrate His triumph over sin and death and His promise of eternal life.

His resurrection, which happened three days after his death, is a testament to our Almighty’s God’s power and most of all, his unconditional love for humanity.

As we, Filipinos, move forward in our journey towards a just and lasting peace, may we be inspired to practice the values the risen Christ teaches us: love, peace, and forgiveness.

Just as Jesus Christ’s victory over death was a promise of hope to the Christian faithful, let us also be torchbearers of hope and positive change for our families, communities, and our country.

May this Easter Sunday be a source of great faith, joy, and peace for all of us. A Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday to all!

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” – John 11:25-26

By |2025-06-03T13:41:25+08:00April 20th, 2025|Statements|0 Comments

HOLY WEEK MESSAGE OF SEC. CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR., PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND UNITY

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The men and women of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity join the Christian community in the solemn observance of this year’s Holy Week.

Christians all over the world come together in faith, as they celebrate Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity and his victory over sin and death during this time of prayer, fasting, and penance.

Just as Jesus served as a beacon of hope for the marginalized and suffering, let us learn to apply His teachings in our everyday lives, serve as exemplars of the Christian faith, and help those who are most in need.

May this Holy Week be a time of rest and renewal for Filipinos, regardless of faith or station in life. Despite our differences, may we find inspiration in the Christian community’s call to unity: “Strive for full restoration, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11

It is my earnest prayer that our hearts be filled with love, kindness and understanding as we follow Christ’s weekong to the Resurrection.

By |2025-06-03T13:41:33+08:00April 13th, 2025|Statements|0 Comments

MESSAGE OF SEC. CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR., PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND UNITY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DAY OF VALOR (ARAW NG KAGITINGAN)

The men and women of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) are one with the Filipino people as we pay tribute to the thousands of Filipino soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Fall of Bataan over eight decades ago. (more…)

By |2025-04-10T14:19:26+08:00April 9th, 2025|Statements|0 Comments

MESSAGE OF SEC. CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR., PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND UNITY

In light of recent issues surrounding narratives that negatively portray and degrade specific ethnicities and genders, I would like to take this opportunity to call on candidates running in these midterm polls to be shining examples of tact and integrity during this campaign season.

As the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security of the BARMM and the Chairperson of the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace, and Security, I strongly believe that there should be no place for discriminatory statements that cause division among the Filipino people.

Given our country’s rich and diverse culture, as well as strong interfaith coexistence, these malicious comments are not only hurtful to certain groups and genders in Philippine society but also a regression from the principles of the culture of peace that we are advocating.

As the conduct of the midterm elections in May and the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in October are fast approaching, I urge candidates to not only promote their political platforms but also the values of understanding, healing, and unity in their campaign activities.

Let us remember that candidates vying for positions in public office must hold themselves to the highest moral standards as they endeavor to take the lead and meaningfully contribute to our country’s nation-building efforts.

By |2025-04-08T09:30:48+08:00April 8th, 2025|Statements|0 Comments

MESSAGE OF SEC. CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR., PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND UNITY ON THE CELEBRATION OF EID’L FITR 2025

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh!

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you and your families.

On behalf of the men and women of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, I extend our warmest greetings to the Muslim ummah around the world as you celebrate Eidl’l Fitr or the Festival of Breaking the Fast.

As the holy month of fasting, deep reflection, and sacrifice comes to an end, may the lessons of this blessed occasion reign in your hearts, inspire you to be the best living examples of the Islamic faith, and serve as beacons of hope, kindness and forgiveness.

Through your example, may you inspire others to lend a helping hand to everyone, especially those who are most in need. Let us all work together to achieve our shared vision: a just and lasting peace for the Bangsamoro people and all Filipinos.

It is the OPAPRU’s earnest hope that this Eid brings you and your loved ones closer to Allah, strengthens your faith, and fills you with peace and gratitude that will last well beyond this year’s celebration.

Once again, our heartfelt greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters. May the Almighty grant all our fervent wishes and prayers. Eid Mubarak!

By |2025-04-08T09:33:50+08:00March 31st, 2025|Statements|0 Comments
Go to Top