MANILA — The government will fully comply and honor the peace agreements it has with different fronts, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday as he declared that there are no longer any active guerrilla fronts in the country.

“Government will honor and fully comply with its remaining deliverables and commitments under these agreements,” Marcos said, as he highlighted the achievements of the government’s peace negotiations during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The government has signed peace agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (2014), Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (2000), the Moro National Liberation Front (1996), and Cordillera Bodong Administration - Cordillera People's Liberation Army (1986).

It is also conducting what it calls "localized peace engagements" with units and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.

'NO MORE ACTIVE GUERRILLA FRONTS'

According to Marcos, there are no active guerrilla fronts in the country, with only seven weakened groups to be dismantled.

“We have come a long way in our quest for a lasting and inclusive peace. No guerrilla fronts remain active across our country today. Only seven weakened groups remain to be dismantled, and they are the subject of focused operations,” he said.

READ: Philippines must not back down from challenges that threaten 'peace, existence' —Marcos

In a July 21 statement, CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena said that NPA recruitment "continues steadily and is certain to rise in the coming months and years in the face of worsening oppression and political repression."

Valbuena also called declarations that the country will soon be "insurgency-free" as wishful thinking and "a simple rehash of declarations made in the past thirty years."

In reaction to Marcos' SONA on Monday, Valbuena said the speech was "completely detached from the realities of oppression and exploitation facing majority of the Filipino people."

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PEACE AND REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS

Marcos also said that aside from dismantling these armed groups, the government is also actively offering peace and reintegration programs to those who are interested in going back to the fold of the law.

“But along with the assertion of government might, we also offer peace, community development and reintegration programs to those who have returned to the fold of the law,” he said. 

“Through a comprehensive and transformative approach, we have rebuilt not only lives, but also conflict-affected communities,” Marcos added.

“The implementation of peace agreements is now in its concluding phase. Former combatants now live peaceful and productive lives in their respective communities. Some of our former rebels are now absorbed into the AFP, serving in the defense of the republic, while others are now part of the PNP BARMM,” Marcos also said.

At least 578 former rebels have applied for amnesty offered by the government, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity earlier said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.  said around 300 of the applicants are from Negros Island, while others are from Zamboanga Peninsula. 

Galvez said the National Amnesty Council (NAC) has established nine Local Amnesty Boards (LABs) across the country, and plans to set up 10 more. 

Former rebels have until March 6, 2026 to avail the amnesty program.

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