THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao stands at a critical juncture. For decades, it was a battleground for a promised peace.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was a triumph of dialogue, a testament to the belief that political will could heal historical injustices.
Yet, on the eve of its first parliamentary elections, that fragile peace process faces serious strains.
The narrative of a “robust” peace, often highlighted by Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., is under pressure. Leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have voiced candid grievances.
Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, for example, has described these issues not as mere roadblocks but as structural challenges to the peace deal’s foundation.
One source of contention, according to MILF officials and some local observers, is the role of Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo.
Reports and commentaries in regional media have suggested that his involvement in Bangsamoro politics has been a point of friction, though Malacañang has not confirmed these claims.
The MILF’s main complaint is what it describes as “imposed regime change.” According to the group’s leadership, the national government replaced MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as interim chief minister with Abdulraof Macacua without the consultation and concurrence of the MILF Central Committee.
The MILF maintains that such consultation is mandated by the peace accord to guide the transition.
“The justification that Macacua’s MILF affiliation made the move acceptable is beside the point,” Iqbal said, characterizing the change as a divide-and-rule tactic.
The composition of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority has also been raised as a grievance. Out of the 41 nominees endorsed by the MILF, only 35 were appointed, a decision that MILF leaders interpret as undermining their political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, ahead of elections.
Reports from within Barmm allege that national officials, including Lagdameo, have held private meetings with local political families such as the Mangudadatus, a longstanding force in Maguindanao politics.
According to some sources, these meetings were intended to influence political alignments. The accuracy of these claims remains disputed, but the perception alone has heightened mistrust.
This atmosphere has had consequences. The MILF has announced a temporary suspension of the final phase of disarming its combatants, citing the lack of corresponding progress in other commitments, such as socioeconomic reintegration and the disbandment of private armed groups.
In addition, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity has reportedly engaged directly with MILF ground commanders without always coordinating with the organization’s top leadership.
While officials may frame this as outreach, MILF leaders interpret it as an attempt to bypass established structures.
Civil society groups are expressing concern over these developments. Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, a longstanding advocate of peace in Mindanao, has called for a meeting with the president to address the impasse, underscoring the fragility of the process.
For the peace process to be preserved, difficult but necessary choices lie ahead.
In the view of many within the Bangsamoro and civil society, President Marcos Jr. should reassess the role of his current representatives in the region.
If Lagdameo and Galvez continue to be perceived as polarizing figures, their involvement may further complicate matters.
A change in leadership could help restore trust and give the Bangsamoro peace project the best chance to endure.
