The Philippine national government has reaffirmed that Sulu remains a priority area for peacebuilding initiatives even after its exclusion from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to Jill Gallardo, director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) peace process, there is no disruption in ongoing engagement with the MNLF in Sulu.

She emphasised that peace programs continue on the ground as part of the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF, which still covers the province despite its administrative removal from BARMM.

Sulu’s exclusion from BARMM followed a Supreme Court decision in 2024, which was rooted in the province’s earlier vote against ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the 2019 plebiscite.

As a result, Sulu will not participate in the upcoming Bangsamoro parliamentary structure and has been administratively placed under the Zamboanga Peninsula.

However, peace-related interventions and government support programs remain active in the area, with continued funding for regional offices included in the 2026 budget.

The government has also reiterated its directive to ensure uninterrupted public services in Sulu through coordination between BARMM authorities and local government units.

Despite political changes, MNLF representation remains present within the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, with some members holding parliamentary and ministerial positions.The MNLF continues to field candidates in the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections through affiliated political groups.

Authorities stress that peace efforts in Sulu remain essential due to its historical role in the Moro struggle and its importance in sustaining long-term stability in Mindanao.