Comelec monitoring BARMM situation as MILF suspends decommissioning
Philippine News Agency
By Ferdinand Patinio
August 19, 2025, 3:46 pm
MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is monitoring the recent developments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the Oct. 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) draw near.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, they are particularly looking at the decision of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) barring its members from participating in decommissioning activities in connection with the scheduled polls.
"We are closely monitoring the situation," he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
When asked how the order may affect the conduct of the polls, the Comelec head cited possible security issues.
"It could affect the implementation of the gun ban," said Garcia.
However, he emphasized that they have yet to see any issues related to the polls as a result of the order.
"It has yet to reach the level of being an election-related concern," added Garcia.
In his order dated Aug. 16, MILF Chairman Alhadj Murad Ebrahim directed all commanders and members not to participate in the decommissioning activity of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
The election period is on in the BARMM from Aug. 14 to Oct. 28. A gun ban is in effect, except in cases allowed by the Comelec. (PNA)
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