BARMM chief minister appeals for unity

COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua called on all stakeholders to unite and ensure peaceful parliamentary elections in October, following recent election-related hostilities.

Macacua appealed for unity and urged stakeholders to set aside differences stemming from the May midterm elections.

He emphasized the importance of a smooth leadership transition and preserving the integrity of the electoral process.

“In this coming October electoral exercise, we urge all stakeholders of the region to unite and work with the agencies of the national government in ensuring that the confusion and hostilities which unfolded during the midterm poll campaign period and on election day will not happen again,” Macacua said.

The upcoming parliamentary elections will be the first for the autonomous region, where a new chief minister and parliamentary members will be elected.

Macacua's statement addressed growing public concern regarding recent election-related violence. Religious leaders in BARMM are also intensifying efforts to address rido, or clan feuds, which continue to threaten community stability.

Rido, often fueled by land disputes and political rivalries, has been identified by the United Nations Development Programme as a major barrier to peace in the region.

Macacua also addressed the ongoing decommissioning process for former combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

"The Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces are now in the process of decommissioning, and I am also part of that process. Kailangan ma-decommission. So, until now, hindi pa rin ako nade-decommission. But definitely, I will undertake this decommissioning," he said.

Lawyer Benedicto Bacani, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance and lead convenor of the Integrated Electoral Monitoring Committee, said the group will recommend policies to ensure more credible, safe, and peaceful elections.

“What we are looking at here as a response is, can we take preemptive action by making policy? For example, it is not legal to have an assembly or massing of people in polling centers when they are not voters,” Bacani said.

Retired Colonel Dickson Hermoso, a security consultant for the IEMC, said the group monitored numerous election-related incidents during the 12 May elections, including intimidation, coercion, shows of force, and the use of armed groups.