Photo: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
MANILA (September 13) — At least 108 foreign nationals representing international organizations and diplomatic missions will monitor the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said Saturday.
The international presence is expected to add scrutiny to the region’s first parliamentary polls, a key milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process and the transition to a parliamentary form of regional government.
Peace adviser Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said the observers’ participation reflects international interest in the Bangsamoro’s democratic transition.
“We warmly welcome our international observers to the Bangsamoro. Their presence symbolizes the international community’s interest and support for the democratic aspirations of the Bangsamoro people,” Sarmiento said.
He said their presence could help strengthen public confidence in the elections.
“The first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are a historic milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process. The presence of our international observers is a clear vote of confidence in the electoral process,” Sarmiento said.
Among those represented are the embassies of Palestine, China, Australia and Japan; The Asia Foundation; European Union-Coordinated Diplomacy; Worldwide Lawyers Association; International Republican Institute; IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation; Third Party Monitoring Team; Digital Memory Association of Türkiye; Asian Network for Free Elections and National Democratic Institute; Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines/Center for Liberalism and Democracy; Grand National Assembly of Türkiye; and the International Jurists Union.
The largest delegation is from ANFREL/NDI with 22 participants, followed by the Japanese Embassy with 17.
Observers are scheduled to monitor election-related activities in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Lamitan and Isabela in Basilan, Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga City.
Security coordination with MILF
As international observers prepare to monitor the polls, military, police and peace officials have stepped up coordination with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders in areas identified as potential security flashpoints.
High-ranking security and peace officials met with MILF commanders on Sept. 11 to coordinate measures aimed at keeping the elections peaceful, orderly and credible.
The meeting brought together Bangsamoro Parliament Member Abdullah “Bravo” Macapaar and fellow base commanders of the MILF-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) Northwestern Mindanao Front Command; Brig. Gen. Bernardo Taqueban, commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade; and Maj. Pandapatan Tataan, chief of police of Munai.
Former OPAPRU Undersecretary David Diciano represented the peace office and facilitated discussions among Macapaar, military officials and police.
OPAPRU said the talks focused on synchronizing ground-level security measures, establishing direct communication channels and preventing potential flashpoints in Lanao del Norte and neighboring communities ahead of the polls.
The security sector and BIAF-MILF commanders committed to continued transparency, proactive de-escalation and shared responsibility for maintaining stability during the elections.
The commitments are intended to help create conditions for an orderly and credible electoral exercise as the Bangsamoro holds its first parliamentary elections.
