Philippines' Muslim region seeks better lives under new autonomous gov't

In the southern Philippines, a Muslim-majority autonomous region has taken a significant step toward self-governance and lasting peace following decades of conflict. The parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established on September 14, with members elected in the first election. Abdulraof Macacua, a former military chief of the country's largest Islamic revolutionary group and leader of the interim government, was elected chief minister by the parliament's members.

Under the interim administration, civilians and former combatants in BARMM have experienced improved living conditions and security. Burhan Undalayan, a 57-year-old former combatant, shared that his children and grandchildren are no longer drawn to armed rebellion, choosing instead to attend school. The conflict had displaced millions and caused at least 150,000 deaths, according to government estimates.

Hessa Ladiasan, a 21-year-old university student, expressed hope for more educational opportunities for young people, including abroad. She and her family are also grateful for the increased safety and law enforcement under the interim government. The Bangsamoro, descendants of peoples who inhabited Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago before Spanish colonization, have been engaged in insurgency against the largely Christian Philippine government since the late 1960s.

Despite some unrest during the September 14 election, the region has seen economic growth and a decline in poverty rates since the regional government took office. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the central government's support for the region as it enters a new phase of autonomy, emphasizing the importance of development in maintaining peace and preventing radical thoughts that encourage armed conflict.