Manila: The first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections this week marks a defining milestone in the peace process after the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signing some 12 years ago. "A new dawn has broken for the Bangsamoro. I congratulate the Bangsamoro people on the successful conduct of the historic first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections," Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite some challenges, Sarmiento acknowledged the courage and conviction of the Bangsamoro voters who stepped forward to choose their leaders. He emphasized that this achievement was something the previous generation could only dream of. "Through the ballot, you have demonstrated to the nation and the world that the region is fully prepared to chart its own destiny through democratic self-rule," he stated.
Sarmiento also praised the Commission on Elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation for their professionalism and resolve in safeguarding the polls. "Their vigilance ensured that voters could exercise their democratic rights freely, peacefully, and without fear. Special recognition is also due to the members of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, and the Joint Peace and Security Teams alongside their Quick Response Teams," Sarmiento noted.
He highlighted the tireless de-escalation efforts of the personnel on the ground as critical in preventing potential outbreaks of large-scale conflict and maintaining a stable security environment. "This performance sustains the encouraging downward trend of election-related incidents witnessed from the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections to the 2025 Midterm Elections across Mindanao," he pointed out.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief emphasized that this milestone is particularly significant as it marks the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's first participation in the elections. "It is a defining step in its transition from a revolutionary organization into a democratic political movement. It stands as a powerful realization of the transformation envisioned under the CAB: shifting from armed struggle to parliamentary democracy, with former combatants now stepping forward as legitimate political leaders and peacebuilders," he stressed.
Sarmiento concluded by urging everyone to sustain the momentum of this historic milestone to achieve the shared vision of a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Bangsamoro. "Together, let us sustain the momentum of this historic milestone and realize our shared vision: a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Bangsamoro that every resident rightfully deserves," he added.
