Violence surges in BARMM ahead of Oct polls

An independent monitoring group, Boto Bangsamoro, has reported a surge in armed clashes and politically driven feuds in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ahead of October's parliamentary polls.

The latest incident occurred on August 10 when three fighters from the 128th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed, allegedly by members of a rival command over a land dispute.

Election watchdogs warned that ongoing violence and delays in decommissioning weapons could see armed groups exploited for political purposes during the election season.

Local disputes are being drawn into political rivalries, with some MILF commands aligned with different political parties, intensifying localized revenge killings.

Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) urged MILF leaders to lift the suspension of decommissioning and prohibit armed elements from engaging in political activities, noting that delays could destabilize the region's first parliamentary elections.

Election monitors also called for strict enforcement of gun bans and protection of schools and polling sites during the upcoming elections.