President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to strengthen their collaboration with the national government in ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible midterm election in the region next year.
The meeting focused on “preserving political stability in the region amid growing tension triggered by the coming May 2025 electoral contest,” a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Sunday read.
The meeting, convened at the Aguado Residence in Manila, was attended by four BARMM provincial governors, namely Hajiman Hataman of Basilan, Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, Mamintal Adiong of Lanao del Sur, and Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte.
Also in attendance were Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, and Mindanao Development Authority chief Leo Magno.
Gubernatorial aspirants Datu Tucao Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte and Datu Ali Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur were also present in the meeting.
“On orders of the President, SAP Antonio Lagdameo initiated the comprehensive consultation reportedly to firm up the collaboration between Manila and Mindanao political leaders in ensuring peaceful, transparent, and credible BARMM elections next year,” the PCO said.
The PCO added that “influential political figures in Mindanao” were convened “to hammer out an understanding that would enhance the alliance between local leaders and the national government in addressing the unique challenges that confront the Bangsamoro region.”
Discussions also tackled how to move forward with the government’s development agenda for the Bangsamoro people following the Supreme Court’s decision declaring that Sulu is not part of BARMM’s territorial jurisdiction.
Last month, the Bangsamoro government announced that it has asked the Supreme Court to re-include Sulu province in the Bangsamoro Region.
The meeting between the President and BARMM leaders on Sunday also tackled future partnerships that aim to improve the lives of BARMM residents.
“The diverse assembly of both local and national leaders has also emphasized PBBM’s commitment to an inclusive development and peace in the Bangsamoro region,” said Lagdameo.
“As the political landscape in the region evolves, the cooperation among these leaders will be essential for shaping up the future of their communities and in fostering sustainable development in BARMM,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Comelec Chair George Garcia said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have deployed more personnel to the Bangsamoro region ahead of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the autonomous area’s first-ever parliamentary elections.
Garcia told Super Radyo dzBB that the increased military and police presence would help ensure the peace and security of the COC filing process at the BARMM from Nov. 4, Monday, to Nov. 9, Saturday.
Although he welcomed the increased presence of the police and military, Garcia stressed that this should not be viewed that the government considers BARMM as a hotbed for poll violence. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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