“Umaasa kami na ang kanyang karanasan ay makakatulong sa epektibong pagsugpo ng kriminalidad”

MANILA—The Regional Police Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expressed confidence that the leadership of the new Interim Chief Minister, Abdularaof Macacua, will help reduce crime rates and maintain peace in the region.

In an interview, Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz said that while the police will remain neutral and non-partisan, especially with two upcoming elections—the national midterms in May and the parliamentary elections in October—they are confident that Macacua’s experience will be invaluable in ensuring safety in BARMM.

Macacua, who is currently the chief of staff of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), was appointed as the new Interim Chief Minister of BARMM ahead of the two elections earlier this month.

“Umaasa kami na ang kanyang karanasan ay makakatulong sa epektibong pagsugpo ng kriminalidad, kabilang ang loose firearms, illegal drugs, at banta ng terorismo sa rehiyon, gayundin sa pagtugon sa anumang hamon sa katahimikan,” Macapaz said.

In a separate interview, Macacua said that the decommissioning of armed groups, including the MILF, will be one of his priorities as the new minister, starting with himself.

“So, until now, hindi pa rin ako nade-decommission. But definitely, I will undertake this decommissioning,” Macacua stated.

BOL in de-escalating tensions in BARMM

When asked about the situation in BARMM before and after the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), Macapaz said they have observed a decline in crime rates, particularly in encounters between government forces and rebel groups.

The police general mentioned that the establishment of BARMM under BOL has led communities to become more open to peacebuilding efforts.

“Base sa ating datos, bumaba ang insidente ng malalaking engkwentro sa pagitan ng mga dating rebeldeng grupo at pwersa ng gobyerno. Mas naging bukas na rin ang mga komunidad sa peacebuilding efforts,” Macapaz added.

Both Macacua and Macapaz attributed the remaining armed conflict in the region to private armed groups (PAGs), which they vowed to dismantle through their respective initiatives.

“Gayunpaman, nananatili ang ilang security concerns, gaya ng mga local armed groups at private armed groups na maaaring magdulot ng instability sa ilang lugar. Makakaasa po kayo na aming paiigtingin ang operasyon laban sa mga grupong ito upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa rehiyon,” the general assured.

Macapaz also noted that efforts from the national government, through Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, Jr., have been crucial in maintaining peace and advancing development in BARMM. They hope these efforts will continue as the elections approach.

The police will further intensify their efforts to secure peace and order in the region, with support from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other security forces, Macapaz concluded.

MANILA – The bicameral conference committee has agreed to defer the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections, rescheduling it for October 13, 2025.

Originally, the BARMM elections were set for May 12, alongside the national and local elections.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this after the bicameral conference, saying, “Ang in-adopt five months [postponement]. October 13 ang halalan. Pumayag ang Kamara. May mga pagbabago ring pinanukala ang Kamara na inadopt din ng Senado.”

The proposal to postpone the BARMM elections is expected to be ratified in the Senate and House plenary this afternoon. Once ratified, it will be submitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for signing.

Escudero expressed concern about the one-year delay, suggesting a shorter postponement would be preferable to ensure the elections can be held in October.

ia/mnm

MANILA — In a firm stance against violence targeting educators in the region, the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has denounced the recent ambush on Mamadatu Dalandas.

The 39-year-old school head of Datu Tecson Elementary School in Sultan sa Barongis town, Maguindanao del Sur, fell victim to unidentified gunmen in Barangay Manongkaling, Mamasapano, on Monday (22 Jan 2024).

Expressing deep concern, Mohagher Iqbal, head of the MBHTE, issued a statement urging authorities to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation, emphasizing the need for justice to prevail. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, with ongoing investigations led by Lt. Lou Christian Villoñes, the municipal police chief.

Dalandas’ tragic fate follows similar incidents in the region, as he becomes the second headteacher in Sultan sa Barongis to be targeted in the past three months and the third in BARMM since May 2023.

The education ministry unequivocally declares that acts of violence have no place within educational institutions, standing resolute against such brutal incidents.

As the educational community mourns this loss, the BARMM calls for a swift resolution to the investigation, underscoring their commitment to ensuring the safety of educators within the region.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

The Philippines and Japan have officially ratified an agreement, valued at PHP376 million, aimed at supporting road development and emergency response efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This non-project grant aid (NPGA) from Japan was formalized through diplomatic notes signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko.

The signing occurred during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s two-day official visit to Manila and carries a total worth of JPY957 million (equivalent to approximately USD6.8 million or PHP376 million), according to the DFA.

The NPGA’s primary focus is to facilitate the acquisition of construction equipment for road network enhancement and efficient disaster response operations within the Bangsamoro region.

Its objectives encompass providing support for relief operations, including the restoration and maintenance of vital access roads, bridges, and waterways, as well as extending aid during times of calamities and disasters, as stated by the DFA.

Furthermore, it seeks to address the heightened impact of flooding exacerbated by climate change in the Bangsamoro region.

Notably, the NPGA stands as a grant mechanism designed to assist developing nations by offering foreign currency funding for the importation of goods incorporating Japanese technologies, addressing specific economic or social needs.

(ai/mnm)

Ni Liezelle Soriano

UMABOT sa 244 ang bilang ng mga karahasan na  naitala sa pagdaraos ng barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), ayon sa Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Ang datos na ito ng Comelec ay nagmula sa Philippine National Police (PNP).

Saklaw nito  ang huling araw ng Oktubre, ayon pa sa poll body.

Samantala, umabot naman sa 19 ang kabuuang bilang ng mga namatay sa kasagsagan ng eleksiyon.

“We hope this will be the end of it,” wika ni Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco.

“Though the figures are quite high, they are really low compared to the figures from the 2013 and 2018 barangay elections, where we had more than 300 election-related incidents and deaths,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi pa niya na karamihan sa  mga nasawi  ay nagmula sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Aniya, karamihan sa mga napatay ay mga tagasuporta o kamag-anak ng mga kandidato.

(AI/MNM)