Philippine government and MILF sign pact to keep Bangsamoro polls peaceful

The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have signed an agreement intended to keep the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections peaceful and orderly on Sept. 14.

The memorandum was signed at the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. It establishes guidelines for mutual understanding on ceasefire-related functions during the election and brings together mechanisms created under the Bangsamoro peace process.

The agreement involves the government and MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities, as well as the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group. Its stated aims include preventing misunderstandings between government forces and the MILF, improving coordination with election authorities and maintaining protection for the peace process.

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another milestone

Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento called the signing “another milestone” in the government and MILF’s effort to achieve a peaceful transition to a regular Bangsamoro government. “This is another important demonstration of our shared commitment to coordination, cooperation, and a peaceful and orderly first BARMM parliamentary elections,” he said.

Sarmiento urged the peace mechanisms to support voters’ democratic choice while remaining politically neutral. He also thanked MILF chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and the MILF Central Committee for welcoming the government peace and security officials.

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This is another important demonstration of our shared commitment to coordination, cooperation, and a peaceful and orderly first BARMM parliamentary elections