What to Know as a Philippine Region with a History of Conflict Holds Its First Parliamentary Polls
More than 20,000 security personnel were deployed as former rebels and political clans competed for seats in the region's first elected assembly.
- Nearly 2.4 million voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao cast ballots on Monday in the region's first parliamentary elections, a crucial step toward self-determination after decades of insurgency and violence.
- Under a 2014 peace deal brokered by Malaysia, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front exchanged its goal of a separate state for autonomy; the region is now governed by former guerrilla leaders transitioning to elected officials.
- More than 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to secure polling stations, while checkpoints have proliferated in recent weeks amid concerns over incomplete decommissioning of an estimated 14,000 MILF fighters remaining under arms.
- With 80 parliamentary seats at stake, the election features a split within the MILF, as longtime chairman Murad Ebrahim leads the United Bangsamoro Justice Party , creating competing factions in the new legislature.
- Comelec regional head Ray Sumalipao expects a turnout of "not less than 80 percent," while Commission on Elections Chairman Erwin Garcia said preparations aim to ensure citizens can vote safely and securely.
29 Articles
29 Articles
‘Implementation of Bangsamoro agreements led to peaceful transition’
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sustained implementation of Bangsamoro peace agreements helped pave the way for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to complete its transition from armed struggle to democratic political participation, Malacañang said on the eve of the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.Datu Michael Mastura, a former senior member of the MILF panel in peace negotiations with the government, lauded the g…
The Toronto Star
What to know as a Philippine region with a history of conflict holds its first parliamentary polls
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Voters in an autonomous southern Philippine region will cast their ballots Monday in the region's first parliamentary elections, seen as a crucial step in the quest for self-determination and lasting peace after decades of insurgency and…
Philippine Muslim enclave trades bullets for election ballots
Not far from there, campaign posters clung to the sides of bombed-out buildings, a stark reminder of bloody battles between jihadist fighters and government forces nearly a decade ago. Following an on-off peace process that began in the late 1990s, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) heads to its first polls on Monday, trading appointed parliamentarians for elected ones. In a region long marred by political violence and b…
Philippine Muslim enclave prepares for historic Bangsamoro polls
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao holds its first peaceful elections, marking progress from decades of conflict towards self-determination and peace. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
