Watchdog: Political tensions, violence cast shadow over BARMM polls

Bangsamoro’s first parliamentary election is approaching under a shadow of violence, political polarization and uncertainty over the region’s peace settlement.

Climate Conflict Action said the campaign may look normal on the surface, but tensions have intensified. The watchdog pointed to the Aug. 15 ambush of Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua’s convoy in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, as evidence of deepening divisions within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF.

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With only two weeks before the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, horizontal violence persists, extremist threats are gaining ground, public confidence in the electoral process remains low and long-standing socioeconomic challenges continue to weigh on communities.

“With only two weeks before the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, horizontal violence persists, extremist threats are gaining ground, public confidence in the electoral process remains low and long-standing socioeconomic challenges continue to weigh on communities,” said Louise Marie Lara, CCA’s communications manager.

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While not directly election-related, some of the clan feuds either involve or are linked to local political actors.

CCA deputy executive director Liezl Bugtay said the ambush had further polarized supporters of opposing groups. Long-standing clan feuds had also resurfaced, she said, with some involving or being linked to local political actors. The watchdog also cited 58 gun-related incidents and 39 deaths during the first six weeks of the election gun ban.

CCA warned that renewed extremist threats, limited voter education and confusion over the parliamentary ballot were feeding uncertainty among voters. It also raised concerns about possible electoral manipulation. The first Bangsamoro parliamentary election is scheduled for Sept. 14. “The Bangsamoro is at a crossroads,” CCA said, warning that without sustainable solutions to the roots of these problems, the region could enter a new political chapter with the same old challenges.

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The Bangsamoro is at a crossroads. Unless sustainable and effective solutions are made to address the root causes of these problems, the Bangsamoro risks entering a new political chapter grappling with the same old challenges.