Philippines' Muslim autonomous region holds 1st poll amid election violence

Cotabato City, Philippines (Kyodo) -- Voters in the Muslim-dominated Bangsamoro autonomous region of the Philippines cast their ballots on Monday for their first parliamentary election, as part of a peace agreement reached in 2014 between the largest Islamic revolutionary group and the national government. With nearly 2.4 million voters participating, hopes are high for the 4.5 million Bangsamoro or Moro people, who make up about 4% of the national population.

The Bangsamoro region, located on Mindanao island, is unique among the Philippines' 18 groupings as it operates under a parliamentary government to fulfill the aspirations of its people for self-determination.

Despite heightened security, violent incidents occurred during the voting process. A shootout took place at one of the largest polling precincts and an explosion occurred in Cotabato City, the capital of the Bangsamoro government. At least four people died and 18 were injured in these incidents. Commission on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia reported the fatalities and injuries, while Kyodo News reporters witnessed supporters of rival political factions fighting and one group opening fire on another, leading to a temporary suspension of voting for a few hours.

In Basilan province, tampered ballots were discovered, prompting officials to consider extending the voting hours due to the delays. Nevertheless, the national police reported that the overall poll conduct was peaceful and orderly, with a 97.38% voting status across the monitored areas. The election, initially scheduled for 2022, was postponed three times due to COVID-19, other factors, and a Supreme Court ruling excluding a province based on the 2019 plebiscite results.

The Bangsamoro region is the only one among the Philippines' 18 groupings with a parliamentary form of government, as per the wishes of its citizens.

The Muslim-led Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is participating in the election through its political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). The UBJP is working towards the implementation of the remaining provisions under the peace agreement, including decommissioning remaining MILF combatants and improving socio-economic well-being.

The UBJP faces several opposition parties, including the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which is believed to align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s federalization party. Abdulraof Macacua, the former military chief of the MILF and the interim Bangsamoro government's chief minister, has joined the BFP, creating a division within the group's leadership.

The election will decide 80 parliamentary seats, with 40 chosen from political party lists, 32 from electoral districts, and 8 from candidates representing women, youth, non-Moro residents, and other social sectors. Elected parliament members will then select the region's chief minister. A total of 108 election observers from 16 international organizations and delegations, including Japan, will monitor the polls on the ground.