Muslim Region in the Philippines Gears Up for 2025 Elections Amid Ongoing Peace Efforts

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines, is preparing for its first democratic elections in 2025, marking a significant milestone since gaining autonomy, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

Huseyin Oruc, a Turkish representative in the Bangsamoro Third-Party Monitoring Team, has highlighted the importance of these elections for the region’s peace process. While the political framework is advancing, Oruc noted that the normalization efforts are facing delays.

He expressed optimism that if the elections are conducted in a secure environment, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could achieve a majority, which would accelerate progress in various areas, including normalization. Oruc also pointed out the necessity of forming a new police force that would integrate 7,000 personnel from both the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), though only 398 have been incorporated thus far.

Additionally, Oruc called for a general amnesty to address past conflicts, emphasizing the challenges of disarming 40,000 MILF members. As the elections approach, notable MILF figures remain on the wanted list, potentially complicating their participation in the political process.