Philippines (International Christian Concern) — Tensions are rising in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), located in the Philippines, ahead of its first parliamentary elections on Oct. 13, as a controversial redistricting law and stalled peace process fuel concerns over political stability and inclusivity.

The Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, signed earlier this year, redraws the region’s 32 single-member districts. Additionally, it reallocates seats among provinces and cities in response to a Supreme Court ruling that excluded Sulu from BARMM.

The law has sparked protests from civil society groups and political leaders, including Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar, who warned that the measure could fracture unity within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

On Aug. 26, hundreds rallied in Marawi City under the Real Autonomy Now (RANow) Movement, urging Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua to veto the bill, while accusing national officials of interfering in BARMM’s internal affairs and undermining the principles of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The unrest coincides with a deepening impasse in the peace process between the MILF and the Government of the Philippines (GPH). In July, the MILF Central Committee suspended the final phase of the decommissioning process, citing the government’s failure to deliver promised socio-economic packages to more than 26,000 former combatants. Following this, MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim directed commanders to refrain from participating in normalization activities without written approval.

Amid these tensions, a two-day peace forum called Titayan 2 occurred Aug. 19-20 in Davao City. Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo convened the event, which Friends of Peace organized. The gathering brought together more than 100 stakeholders. Attendees included MILF and GPH peace panel representatives, civil society leaders, indigenous groups, and Christian clergy.

They assessed the state of the peace process and promoted dialogue and reconciliation. The forum emphasized the importance of trust-building and reaffirmed the value of inclusive governance.

Adding to the urgency, the independent Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) issued a statement on Aug. 28 expressing “grave concern” over the state of the peace process, warning that it had reached a “perilous juncture.”

Chaired by Heino Marius of Brussels, the TPMT cited both the leadership change in BARMM and the suspension of the decommissioning process as signs of deteriorating trust, while also acknowledging the transformative influence of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The TPMT urged both sides to engage in dialogue and reaffirm their commitment to normalization, underscoring the need for continued cooperation.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that only 73 of the 80 parliamentary seats will be contested in October, citing logistical constraints related to the new district configuration. The decision further fueled concerns about the election’s credibility.

Christian churches, including Evangelical congregations in BARMM, have expressed cautious optimism. Among their leaders is Bishop Ephraim Tendero, Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), who joined Titayan 2. With other clergy, he called for moral leadership, peaceful participation, and protection of religious minorities. Likewise, Bishop Edwin de la Peña of Marawi emphasized the importance of safeguarding the gains of the peace process and ensuring inclusive governance.

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