From Peace Deals to Persistent Feuds: Why Violence Still Haunts BARMM

COTABATO CITY (March 26) — Years after landmark peace agreements transformed Mindanao’s political landscape, a quieter but persistent threat continues to destabilize communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: internal armed conflicts among Bangsamoro groups themselves.

The warning came from Datu Faizal Karon, a former guerrilla leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, who is now pushing for a comprehensive response to recurring clashes in rural areas.

“These are no longer just isolated incidents,” Karon said. “They are systemic.”

A Peace Process with Gaps

The creation of BARMM in 2019, following decades of conflict between the Philippine government and Moro rebel groups, was seen as a turning point. Agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and earlier with the MNLF significantly reduced large-scale armed confrontations.

But these deals largely addressed vertical conflict — between the state and insurgents — leaving horizontal conflicts unresolved.

Across provinces like Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, disputes over land, political influence, and economic resources continue to trigger violence among former allies, commanders, and local power blocs.

The Cost of ‘Rido’ Framing

Many of these clashes are labeled as rido, a traditional system of clan feuds. While culturally rooted, critics argue that this classification has allowed authorities to treat violent encounters as private disputes rather than criminal offenses.

The result: inconsistent law enforcement and a cycle of retaliation.

Recent fighting in the Special Geographic Area illustrates the pattern. Since February, at least three armed encounters involving MILF elements and a politician-linked group displaced about 5,000 civilians. Homes were abandoned, livelihoods disrupted, and children injured by stray bullets.

For affected communities, the distinction between “clan feud” and “armed conflict” is meaningless — the consequences are the same.

Security vs Accountability

There have been signs of progress. Joint operations by the military’s 6th Infantry Division and regional police have successfully disarmed rival groups in some hotspots.

But experts say disarmament without prosecution is only a temporary fix.

“Without accountability, guns may be surrendered today but violence returns tomorrow,” one Mindanao-based analyst said.

Calls are growing for a shift in policy — from mediation-heavy approaches to stronger legal action, including filing cases against perpetrators regardless of affiliation.

Leadership Under Pressure

Abdulraof Macacua acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that resolving these conflicts requires coordination across multiple layers of government, including local officials, security forces, and former rebel leadership.

A special meeting of the regional peace and order council is expected, where Karon and other stakeholders will present proposals.

Among the key recommendations:

Stronger sanctions from MILF and MNLF leadership against rogue commanders
Criminal prosecution of armed actors involved in violence
Closer coordination between BARMM and local government units
Expanded socioeconomic programs to address root causes

A Fragile Transition

The persistence of these internal conflicts raises broader concerns about BARMM’s transition from armed struggle to civilian governance.

While the region has made strides in institution-building and autonomy, unresolved local rivalries continue to test its stability.

Each clash not only displaces families but also sends a signal to investors and development partners that security remains uncertain.

Beyond Political Solutions

For BARMM, the next phase of peace may not be about signing agreements, but about enforcing the rule of law within its own ranks.

As Karon’s call gains attention, the question now is whether Bangsamoro leadership can confront a difficult truth: that sustaining peace requires not just unity against external threats, but accountability within.

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From Peace Deals to Persistent Feuds: Why Violence Still Haunts BARMM

COTABATO CITY (March 26) — Years after landmark peace agreements transformed Mindanao’s political landscape, a quieter but persistent threat continues to destabilize communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: internal armed conflicts among Bangsamoro groups themselves.

The warning came from Datu Faizal Karon, a former guerrilla leader of the Moro National Liberation Front, who is now pushing for a comprehensive response to recurring clashes in rural areas.

“These are no longer just isolated incidents,” Karon said. “They are systemic.”

A Peace Process with Gaps

The creation of BARMM in 2019, following decades of conflict between the Philippine government and Moro rebel groups, was seen as a turning point. Agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and earlier with the MNLF significantly reduced large-scale armed confrontations.

But these deals largely addressed vertical conflict — between the state and insurgents — leaving horizontal conflicts unresolved.

Across provinces like Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, disputes over land, political influence, and economic resources continue to trigger violence among former allies, commanders, and local power blocs.

The Cost of ‘Rido’ Framing

Many of these clashes are labeled as rido, a traditional system of clan feuds. While culturally rooted, critics argue that this classification has allowed authorities to treat violent encounters as private disputes rather than criminal offenses.

The result: inconsistent law enforcement and a cycle of retaliation.

Recent fighting in the Special Geographic Area illustrates the pattern. Since February, at least three armed encounters involving MILF elements and a politician-linked group displaced about 5,000 civilians. Homes were abandoned, livelihoods disrupted, and children injured by stray bullets.

For affected communities, the distinction between “clan feud” and “armed conflict” is meaningless — the consequences are the same.

Security vs Accountability

There have been signs of progress. Joint operations by the military’s 6th Infantry Division and regional police have successfully disarmed rival groups in some hotspots.

But experts say disarmament without prosecution is only a temporary fix.

“Without accountability, guns may be surrendered today but violence returns tomorrow,” one Mindanao-based analyst said.

Calls are growing for a shift in policy — from mediation-heavy approaches to stronger legal action, including filing cases against perpetrators regardless of affiliation.

Leadership Under Pressure

Abdulraof Macacua acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that resolving these conflicts requires coordination across multiple layers of government, including local officials, security forces, and former rebel leadership.

A special meeting of the regional peace and order council is expected, where Karon and other stakeholders will present proposals.

Among the key recommendations:

A Fragile Transition

The persistence of these internal conflicts raises broader concerns about BARMM’s transition from armed struggle to civilian governance.

While the region has made strides in institution-building and autonomy, unresolved local rivalries continue to test its stability.

Each clash not only displaces families but also sends a signal to investors and development partners that security remains uncertain.

Beyond Political Solutions

At its core, the issue reflects deeper structural challenges — weak institutions, overlapping authority, and longstanding social divisions.

For BARMM, the next phase of peace may not be about signing agreements, but about enforcing the rule of law within its own ranks.

As Karon’s call gains attention, the question now is whether Bangsamoro leadership can confront a difficult truth: that sustaining peace requires not just unity against external threats, but accountability within.

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