MANILA – The observance of September as National Peace Consciousness Month is putting renewed focus on the commitment to peace of former combatants who submitted their amnesty applications before the March 2026 deadline and are now awaiting the results of the government’s evaluation.
The National Amnesty Commission’s declaration of September as National Peace Consciousness Month provides a timely backdrop to the continuing processing of amnesty applications under the Bangsamoro normalization process.
The applications of all former armed rebels, including MILF members and commanders and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, represent an important step in the transition from armed struggle to peaceful and productive civilian life.
With the March 2026 application deadline already past, applicants who submitted their requirements on time are now waiting for the government’s determination on their applications in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.
While awaiting the outcome, however, applicants are expected to continue demonstrating the same commitment to peace that underpins their decision to seek amnesty.
This is particularly important for former commanders whose influence among former combatants and their communities gives them a greater responsibility to promote calm, restraint and stability.
The message is consistent with the broader objective of the normalization process: the transition from armed conflict is not simply about ending hostilities, but about building a culture of peace and responsible participation in society.
Recent peace initiatives involving former rebels elsewhere in Mindanao have likewise emphasized this principle. During the Balay Kalinaw Former Rebels Peace Summit in Davao del Norte, former rebels and stakeholders affirmed a collective commitment to sustaining peace and development, alongside government support for livelihood and socioeconomic programs.
The initiative illustrates how the peace process combines opportunities for former combatants to rebuild their lives with an expectation that they will help preserve the peace and stability that make reintegration possible.
For MILF amnesty applicants awaiting the disposition of their applications, the observance of National Peace Consciousness Month therefore carries a timely message: their decision to seek amnesty should be matched by conduct consistent with the peaceful path they have chosen.
Officials have yet to announce the final disposition of the pending applications, and applicants are expected to await the completion of the evaluation process and the corresponding decisions of the authorities.
But as the country observes a month dedicated to strengthening consciousness for peace, former combatants are being reminded that the gains of the peace process require continued discipline, restraint and respect for the law.
For those who have chosen to leave armed conflict behind, peace is not only a status to be achieved – it is a commitment to be demonstrated.
