MILF camp becomes a battleground against voter illiteracy in BARMM
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – Camp Darapanan, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) main base in what was once the undivided Maguindanao territory, became a battleground once again – this time, against voter illiteracy in the predominantly Muslim region.
Amid calls to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the MILF-led Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), over 500 women from various MILF communities gathered at the camp in Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, November 4, to learn about the structure and importance of the region’s first parliamentary elections.
The BARMM operates a unique parliamentary setup within a presidential system, and is the only region in the country with such a structure. The framework was established by law as part of a political and peace settlement between the MILF and the government, following decades of armed conflict.
BARMM’s parliamentary model allows for members of a regional parliament to elect a chief minister, who leads the regional government, supported by a cabinet appointed to manage key sectors.
While BARMM enjoys these self-governing powers, it remains under the general oversight of the national government, which maintains control over key areas like defense and foreign policy.
The gathering at Camp Darapanan coincided with the opening of the filing period for certificates of candidacy (COCs) for parliament seats in the region and the filing of a bill by Senate President Francis Escudero aimed at moving the BARMM elections to 2026.
The ongoing initiative, led by Mariam Ali, executive director of the Mindanao Organizations of Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP) in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Auxiliary Women Forces, is tailored for a largely unprepared electorate.
Ali said they have observed a “significant knowledge gap” among voters regarding the first BARMM parliamentary elections.
Ali’s resolve is firm and she said they would pursue the initiative despite the filing of Senate Bill 2862 by Escudero who proposed a delay of BARMM’s elections from 2025 to 2026 due to the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluding Sulu from the region.
“Many are unaware of how to vote or even who they are voting for,” she said. “We’re committed to empowering voters, whether the election proceeds in May or is postponed.”
Nabija Jameel, a 36-year-old mother, said she participated in the forum because she saw the need for voters, including Bangsamoro women, to understand their rights and the electoral process.
“Without proper voter education, there is a risk of being left behind and unable to exercise our right to vote effectively,” she said.
The sessions, held in the madrasa of the MILF camp in Sultan Kudarat town, included discussions on the role of district representatives and the parliamentary system’s layered voting process.
Monday’s forum included a pre-test to assess the BARMM voters’ familiarity with the region;s electoral process.
When asked who would vote for the BARMM chief minister, most hands raised in affirmation – a telling misstep given that the region’s leader is chosen not by the voters but elected members of the Bangsamoro parliament.
“Initially, I thought we were voting directly for the chief minister,” one woman admitted. “But now I understand the process.”
The challenge is not just procedural but deeply structural. The BARMM setup introduces two separate ballots – one for national and local positions and another specifically for the BARMM parliament – a shift for voters accustomed to the country’s general elections.
To bridge these gaps, MOSEP, funded by The Asia Foundation and the United Kingdom (UK) under the “Activate Bangsamoro 4” program, provided instructional materials translated into local dialects: Maguindanaon, Maranao, Tausug, Yakan, Teduray, and soon Iranun.
For Ali and her team, the mission is clear: “Our goal is inclusivity, ensuring that every Bangsamoro citizen is ready to cast an informed vote, shaping the future of this autonomous region.” – Rappler.com