A March 10 report by the International Crisis Group cautions that pushing Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections to 2028 could deepen divisions within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), amid ongoing delays following Senate-backed proposals for a 2026 vote.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) report, released March 10, underscores how persistent uncertainty over BARMM's first regional parliamentary elections—originally set for 2022—has fueled tensions inside the MILF. Delays stem from Sulu's 2024 exclusion, Supreme Court rulings invalidating districting laws, and other hurdles, including pandemic disruptions.
This comes after Senate committees in February endorsed a reset to September 14, 2026, to allow voter registration and party organization, as detailed in prior coverage. Yet, options for a 2028 alignment with national polls remain under debate, potentially exacerbating rifts.
Manila's political interventions, such as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as interim chief minister replacing Murad Ebrahim, have further strained government-MILF trust. The ICG notes: “By repeatedly intervening in the region’s political affairs, Manila has eroded the very foundation of autonomy.”
An anonymous MILF cadre voiced alarm: “I told my men to go to the mountains, to be ready,” signaling risks of rebel resurgence or spillover into 2028 presidential races.
BARMM elections are pivotal to the 2019 peace accord establishing the region. Peace advocates, including Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), urge swift action to uphold democratic promises and deter extremist recruitment among Moro youth—a concern echoed in recent Senate hearings.
