The normalization track of the Bangsamoro peace process will continue alongside the transition to an elected regional government, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo said.

Lagdameo said the successful conduct of the region’s first parliamentary elections marked a major turning point, completing the political track of the peace process as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) moves toward a fully elected parliamentary government.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported an 84.34 percent voter turnout in the 14 September elections, with 2,018,478 voters casting their ballots. Police and election officials said the polls were generally peaceful across the region.

Lagdameo stressed, however, that the peace process remains active, with the normalization track continuing to support former combatants, their communities and the foundations for lasting peace under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The continuation of the normalization process was among the issues discussed when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua at Malacañang following the elections.

Marcos congratulated Macacua, who also chairs the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, on the successful conduct of the polls.

The meeting also covered ongoing development programs and the delivery of essential services in the region.

The newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament are scheduled to assume office on 30 October

Also present at the meeting were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Lagdameo and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government Minister Jordan Bayam.