IM4PEACE: Advance Peoples’ Rights, Strengthen Solidarity and Safeguard Democratic Integrity and Inclusivity on the First BARMM Regional Parliamentary Election

As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao prepares for its landmark regional parliamentary elections, the Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections (IM4PEACE) issues a resolute call to defend the democratic process against coercion, violence, and manipulation.

We echo the statement of IM4PEACE - Lanao and Maguindanao and Cotabato Clusters(August 21&22, 2026), that, as the Bangsamoro continues its transition from conflict toward democratic governance, protecting the integrity of the electoral process is vital to safeguarding the gains of the peace process. The transition from armed struggle to democratic self-governance under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace agreement cannot be compromised. Further, the establishment of BARMM was not the end of the peace process, but the beginning of a higher mandate—one that demands the decommissioning and reintegration of former combatants alongside unyielding civil society oversight to ensure that hard-won peace is shielded by credible ballot boxes.

We issue this warning because the threat to peace is immediate and escalating. Information voids, entrenched political dynasties, clan rivalries (rido), and political friction among revolutionary leaderships are threatening to unravel democratic norms.

An alarming surge in targeted gun violence across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) from July to August 2026 highlights an escalating security crisis for the regional electorate. More concerning is that, out of the 108 total municipalities (including 2 cities) across the region, the Commission on Elections designated 26 areas—representing 24.07% of all BARMM localities—under the high-risk Red Category due to grave security threats and historical election-related violence. Within this high-danger group, Lanao del Sur alone accounts for 21 municipalities, meaning that a massive 80.77% of all Red Category areas in BARMM are concentrated in that single province, which itself comprises 19.44% of the entire region's municipalities. Compounding these security concerns, another 23 localities—or 21.30% of the region—were placed under the Orange Category for serious armed threats. Taken together, these elevated-risk classifications (Red and Orange combined) blanket 49 localities, meaning that 45.37%—nearly half of the entire BARMM jurisdiction—faces significant security oversight, leaving the remaining 59 areas (54.63%) under lower risk levels. However, as the election approaches, the thin line separating Orange and Red designations risks being crossed. Highlighting this volatility, monitoring by Climate Conflict Action has recorded 229 violent conflict incidents and 85 deaths since the filing of Certificates of Candidacy began in May.

These reported incidents and official pronouncements by authorities also have been substantiated during the series of civil society consultations which have gathered several structural threats and incidents that must be forcefully confronted and dismantled. These include the escalation of localized political violence and heavy-handed militarization; personality-driven politics that reduce crucial governance issues to clan rivalries; fear tactics and targeted intimidation aimed at voters exercising free choice; systematic coercion of municipal workers, civil servants, and vulnerable families; the weaponization of public funds and state resources for political leverage; and organized disinformation campaigns engineered to divide communities.

IM4PEACE cannot be a passive observer. Maintaining our independence as a grassroots Tri-People election watch, we serve no political party and endorse no candidate—our sole allegiance belongs to the Tri-People of the BARMM and their fundamental right to vote free from terror, patronage, misinformation, and systemic abuse.

We are on the ground across the region (Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, Special Geographic Area, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City and Cotabato City),before, during and even after the electoral exercise with our call to advance, ensure and center the Peoples’ Rights and Welfare Agenda and Solidarity with aggressive voter education. We will help observe and document electoral concerns, encourage peaceful participation, and promote accountability throughout the electoral process. A strengthened solidarity of peoples, and an informed, fearless electorate is the ultimate defense against corruption and coercion.

On COMELEC’s 86th anniversary today, we demand that the Commission execute its constitutional mandate with uncompromising firmness across BARMM's 2.3 million registered voters spanning five provinces, two cities, and the Special Geographic Area.

IM4PEACE demands immediate action on the following:

Electorate Empowerment & Protection: With remaining days, the State and all actors must launch intensified and quality civic education while enforcing the full weight of election laws to shield voters, monitors, and poll workers from violence, intimidation, and illegal manipulation. An informed electorate and a free environment are prerequisites to credible election results.

Indigenous People’s Rights Recognition: Guarantee the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS)-based selection process for Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) in the BARMM Parliament, resisting any attempt to marginalize Indigenous People’s voices.

Proactive Actions on Infrastructure and Logistical Vulnerabilities: Prepare for the unpredictable power outages and potential grid failures pose serious risks to automated voting and canvassing procedures. Transfer and redesignation of polling precincts with enough time and massive information dissemination to avoid delays and disenfranchisement, threatening voter access and logistics.

Inclusion for Vulnerable Sectors: Mandate serious implementation of accessibility protocols and secure polling environments designed specifically for women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

We also call on all independent regional, national and international civil society, human rights and peace movements and election monitors or observers to strengthen solidarity and coordination, and vigilantly track and watch the first regional elections and call out the Philippine and BARMM government and agencies to any violations and interference.

Peace and genuine autonomy in the Bangsamoro region are inextricably linked to the fairness of its elections. The 2026 BARMM elections will determine whether the region moves forward into true democracy or slips backward into rule by intimidation.

The voices of Bangsamoro communities must be heard, respected, and fearlessly protected.

Milyn Cruz
Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections (IM4PEACE)
On the Occasion of COMELEC’s 86th Anniversary | August 22, 2026

IM4PEACE - Lanao Statement: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1057213040399730&set=a.130921283028915

IM4PEACE - Maguindanao-SGA-Cotabato Statement:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1058032836984417&set=a.130921286362248

Advance Peoples’ Rights, Strengthen Solidarity and Safeguard Democratic Integrity and Inclusivity on the First BARMM Regional Parliamentary Election