MEDIA STATEMENT
June 14, 2025
CSO LEADERS APPEAL TO PBBM TO IMMEDIATELY CONVENE THE GPH-MILF PEACE PANELS AND TO PROCEED WITH FIRST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our grave concern over the deepening political turmoil and power struggles within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
These internal conflicts pose a serious threat to the successful implementation and completion of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)-a hard-won peace settlement that has brought hope to generations of Bangsamoro people.
We are disturbed over perceived manipulation of external powers, including Malacanang officials, aimed at dividing and destroying the ranks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the broader Bangsamoro. These actions risk derailing the peace process and reversing the gains achieved over decades of negotiation, sacrifice, and struggle.
As we draw closer to the end of the transition period, we strongly speak out against palpable violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, such as the unilateral appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of a new Chief Minister that is against the free choice of the Central Committee of the MILF. It strikes at the very core of the CAB’s implementation and must be addressed squarely and transparently by the Philippine Government and MILF Peace Implementing Panels as there are strategic interests of the peace process that cannot be sacrificed over narrow political agenda.
As we closely observe the bickering, fake news and factionalism within the BTA and MILF, we raise the alarm as we are witnessing the GPH-MILF peace process on the brink of collapse. It will be the height of irresponsibility if we allow the peace process to disintegrate.
After 17 long years of negotiations and 11 years of implementation of the CAB, let us take extra care and exert earnest efforts to ensure that those orchestrating to divide and factionalize the MILF will not succeed. We must stive to prevent history from repeating itself. What happened to the MNLF peace process 25 years ago should not happen again to the MILF. It will have catastrophic effects that will squander the gains of the peace process and could possibly revert the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Mindanao back to violence.
The Bangsamoro people are already enjoying the dividends of peace. We are exercising a respectable political autonomy which empowers the Parliament to pass our own laws, approve the budget and determine economic and fiscal policies. According to World Bank, “The region’s poverty level dropped to 37.2% in 2021 from more than 60%, which means approximately 892,000 people escaped poverty between 2018 and 2021. “Diminished conflict has empowered farmers and entrepreneurs to invest more in their ventures, resulting in increased incomes and generating more income opportunities for workers.”
Moreover, to the credit of decommissioning and normalization efforts, former combatants and their families have returned to farming and fishing, thus boosting economic growth with BARMM recording highest fishery production in the entire Philippines.
We earnestly call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to restore the trust and confidence of the Bangsamoro people by immediately convening the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panel and address outstanding issues such as the leadership and composition of the BTA, the status of Transitional Justice and Reconciliation, the economic packages for the decommissioned combatants, amnesty and role of the International Monitoring Team. The peace process cannot survive on rhetoric alone. It demands action, accountability, and genuine partnership.
We further urge the President to support the conduct of a fair and free elections this coming October 13, 2025 and not to entertain any further proposal for extension or postponement. The Bangsamoro people have waited long enough to chart their own future through the ballot, and any further attempt to postpone this historic first parliamentary election would be a betrayal of the democratic principles enshrined in the BOL and the CAB. With a few months remaining before the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, prudence dictates that any question of leadership in the BARMM is best left in the hands of the Moro voters through clean, fair and credible elections. (30)
(SGD) REV. DANIEL “LAKAN” PANTOJA
President & CEO
Peacebuilders Community, Inc.
(SGD)JOSUA MATA
Secretary General
SENTRO ng mga NAGKAKAISA PROGRESIBONG MANGGAGAWA
(SGD)FELICITAS, “JOJI” PANTOJA
Chair & President,
Coffee for Peace
(SGD)ROF. MUNIB A. KAHAL
Coordinator Bawgbug, Inc.
(SGD)MELOT BALISALISA-ATILLO
Lead Evaluator
BARMM Rapid Midterm Review
(SGD)BEN SUMOG OY
I-DEFEND SOCKSARGEN
(SGD)DATU CESAR PABRO
Chairman
Mindanao Peoples Caucus, Inc.
(SGD)CANDIDO “JUN” APARECE
Mindanao Peacemakers
