A Shot at Peace: The BARMM’s First Elections

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been plagued by separatist violence for decades. However, its recent shift towards self-determination through elected officials is a hopeful sign. On September 14, the region will hold its first polls, a milestone that promises to bring about lasting peace or at least reduce bloodshed significantly.

The Bangsamoro’s path to this point has been long and arduous. The late 1990s saw the beginning of an on-off peace process between the government and various rebel groups. These same groups are now vying for power through democratic means, with former rebels like Abdulraof Macacua at the helm of his Bangsomoro Federalist Party (BFP). Meanwhile, parties led by dynastic clans like the Adiongs have also emerged.

Security is a major concern, as over 20,000 security personnel will be deployed to safeguard polling stations. The risk of election-related violence remains high, underscored by the fact that former MILF fighters were turned away from regional capital Cotabato for violating the terms of the peace agreement.

Many BARMM residents are cautiously optimistic about the polls. For Luzminda Juanilla, a 70-year-old vendor in Cotabato’s wet market, the elections represent a long-awaited chance to choose her own leaders and put an end to the region’s violent past.

However, some fear that the peace process will falter due to tensions within the region created by the split between rival factions of the MILF. Candidate Naguib Sinarimbo warns that “the idea that some groups are the only ones entitled to rule because they fought for it” is a dangerous one.

The decommissioning of combatants and the shift towards civilian life are crucial steps towards lasting peace. For decades, BARMM residents lived in constant fear of violence and blood feuds between powerful families.

The outcome of these elections will depend on how well the polls are conducted. Allegations of voter intimidation by the Philippine military have raised concerns among some residents, who fear that their votes may not be counted fairly. Murad Ebrahim, long-time chairman of the MILF, notes that “sometimes during elections, the military conducts operations… people get scared.”

The education sessions aimed at familiarizing voters with the voting process have been encouraging, injecting a sense of enthusiasm and participation among residents. Regional head of election commission Comelec Ray Sumalipao predicts a high turnout, estimating “not less than 80 percent.” But it’s not just about numbers; it’s about whether the peace agreement will hold after the polls.

Candidate Emelita Cordero asks, “who knows how to vote?” – a question that resonates with many BARMM residents. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the success of this experiment. One thing is certain: the fate of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao hangs precariously in the balance.

The region’s residents can only hope that their voices are heard and their votes counted fairly. For now, they can only wait anxiously to see if this shot at peace will ultimately be a success story for the BARMM.