Bangsamoro holds first election under Philippines peace deal

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is preparing to hold its first election on Monday, moving from appointed parliamentarians to elected representatives after a long peace process in the southern Philippines.

The vote is a major test for a Muslim-majority region shaped by decades of separatist violence, political feuds and the aftermath of battles between jihadist fighters and government forces in Marawi nearly a decade ago.

Former rebels and powerful political families are expected to dominate the polls, while minority Christians and Indigenous groups are also seeking representation.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which fought for autonomy in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, is now divided between two competing parties. Thousands of fighters have followed military commander Abdulraof Macacua to the Bangsamoro Federalist Party after President Ferdinand Marcos chose him as interim chief minister. Senior MILF leaders opposed that appointment, with other fighters remaining loyal to longtime chairman Murad Ebrahim and his United Bangsamoro Justice Party.

An estimated 14,000 MILF men remain under arms. More than 20,000 security personnel have been assembled to secure polling stations, and checkpoints have increased in recent weeks.

Election official Ray Sumalipao said a convoy of about 200 armed MILF fighters was turned away from Cotabato for violating the terms of the region's peace agreement. He said he expected turnout of at least 80 percent.

Murad said there would be “no conflict” between rival MILF-linked factions, saying the “spirit of brotherhood” was stronger than political differences. Macacua ally Naguib Sinarimbo said preserving the relative peace achieved in the region was more important than winning.

In Lanao del Sur province, Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong said returning combatants to civilian life remained the most critical task. Candidate Emelita Cordero said some voters were still learning how to take part in the new process.