President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday called on all parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to work towards peaceful, orderly, and credible first Bangsamoro elections next year.
“The forthcoming election is an important reminder not only of the democracy that empowers us to mold our destinies, but also of the visionaries who paved the way for the freedom that we [all] relish today,” the President said during ceremonies marking the 28th anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the National Peace Consciousness Month.
Mr. Marcos, moreover, vowed to implement all signed peace agreements with rebel groups across the country, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to lasting peace and development.
“Rest assured that you can depend on this Administration to implement all signed peace agreements for the security, [the] inclusive progress, and stability not only in Mindanao but throughout [our] country,” he said.
He cited the ongoing peace processes with groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and KAPATIRAN, and urged stakeholders to ensure the peace during the first Bangsamoro election next year.
The 1996 Final Peace Agreement, which follows the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, integrates MNLF members into the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, while also supporting community-level interventions to deliver peace dividends.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos calls for peaceful, credible BARMM elections next year.”
