The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a Philippine autonomous region located in the southern part of the Philippines on the island of Mindanao. It’s been a known region for long conflicts against the Philippine government; rooted in unjust basis and prejudices against the minority of Muslim and Indigenous people. These established the basis of military war in the region, painting the group of people in a negative picture to the public by the constant news shown on different platforms. Despite these challenges, a way had still been paved towards peace; The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in July 2018 under the former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has been the most notable milestone towards the peace process which greatly impacted the region.

Historical Context of the Conflict

One might think that the conflict in the Mindanao archipelago started under the dictatorship of the former President Ferdinand Marcos, whose administration became well known by being discriminatory and violating numerous human rights violations, but wrong; the conflict dates back to the colonial era. The armed campaign for independence started in 1969, composed of various groups, including the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, all fighting for the establishment of their own Independent Muslim region. This conflict continued for decades and resulted in nearly 150,000 casualties and fatalities.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law: A Leap Towards Peace

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), also known as Republic Act No. 11054, was established on 28th of July in 2018 under the presidency of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Bangsamoro Organic Law is a signed agreement between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It’s a framework for governance that established the BARMM, granting the Moro people greater autonomy than the one they previously used. In an interview titled “Struggle for Peace in Mindanao, the Philippines”; Marc Batac, a regional program coordinator at Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), once stated that the BOL could pave the way for peace, regional development, and social progress in Mindanao if established and implemented.

The Role of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)

Formed in 1977, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is one of the crucial groups that advocated for the rights and the autonomy of their region. The group transitioned from using military prowess to participating in peace talks and negotiations with the Philippine government, marking a milestone in the process. On March 27, 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) was officially signed; it was a significant achievement that greatly helped in laying the foundation for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as well as the creation of the BARMM. It was a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace within the region.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Though established, BARMM is still in a process; facing challenges and undergoing developments to achieve lasting peace. Issues such as land ownership disputes, delays in support for rebels, discrepancies in disarmament have been stated in the International Crisis’s Group during the 2023 report as labeled as something that needs addressing as soon as possible. Also, the peace process also relies on the political will and determination of the local and national leaders of both sides. Sustainability and inclusivity of the peace process needs the support of both international partners and the involvement of civil society.

With the help of the BOL, and the help of the various stakeholders, the peace process in the region had been a huge leap towards development of lasting peace in Mindanao. Though there are still many challenges to face in future, the progress proves to offer a hope for a brighter future for the region and its citizens. This is also made possible with the non-ending commitment of both the MILF and the GPH, continuously upholding and supporting each other’s interests for the peace of Mindanao. It is still on-going, but with continued effort and collaboration, more solutions and further developments can be reached to bring the decades long conflict into a halt and into an era of harmony for the Bangsamoro people.