MILF agrees to limit movement of armed wing, gun display ahead of polls

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The agreement in Marawi City comes as part of efforts to reduce tensions in areas considered election 'hot spots' in the BARMM

MARAWI, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has agreed to restrict its fighters from carrying firearms outside their camps and forming groups in public to prevent clashes with government forces ahead of the May 12 elections.

The agreement, sealed in Marawi City, on Saturday, May 3, came as part of efforts to reduce tensions in areas considered election “hot spots” in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Colonel Joel Mamon, chair of the government’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group, said the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), would limit its movement and visibility during the remainder of the election period.

The guidelines aim to avoid armed confrontations between MILF fighters and state forces escorting Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel and public school teachers in MILF-influenced areas in the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region.

Mamon said the MILF committed not to obstruct convoys carrying election paraphernalia, ballot boxes, Comelec staff, and teachers accompanied by the military or police.

Water and land routes used by MILF fighters will also remain accessible to troops, teachers, and poll personnel throughout the election period.

“MILF forces are prohibited from displaying their firearms and consolidating their units when the Army and policemen escort Comelec personnel and teachers in and out of communities or MILF bases,” Mamon said.

He said only Camp Bushra in Butig, Lanao del Sur, and Camp Darapanan in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte – the group’s main Eastern Mindanao and administrative camps, respectively – are exempted from the restrictions.

Any violation, he said, would be treated as a ceasefire breach.

He added that armed BIAF members endorsing political candidates would also be considered in violation of both ceasefire terms and Comelec regulations.

The covenant was signed at the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Kampo Ranao, Marawi City, in a meeting of military, police, and MILF field commanders aimed at preventing what Mamon called “bloody encounters” in historically volatile areas.

The agreement was also supported by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

Janati Mimbantas, MILF Northeastern Mindanao Front commander and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, signed the deal on behalf of the rebel group.

“We also aspire for honest elections. We have fought and sacrificed enough for us to break the guidelines,” Mimbantas said.

He said MILF’s ceasefire monitors would notify field units in advance about Army- or police-escorted convoys entering their communities on election day.

Comelec-BARMM director Ray Sumalipao said military and police deployments have started in 20 of Lanao del Sur’s 39 towns tagged as election hot spots.

These include Bacolod Kalawi, Balindong Watu, Bayang, Binidayan, Buadipuso Buntog, Butig, Lumbaca-Unayan, Maguing, Malabang, Marantao, Marogong, Masiu, Mulondo, Piagapo, Pualas, Saguiaran, Sultan Dumalundong, Tamparan, Tubaran, and Tugaya.

Marawi City, with over 79,000 registered voters, is also on the hot spot list.

On Thursday, May 1, a white Toyota van was attacked in Barangay Batobato, Maguing – one of the listed towns – reportedly while transporting 20 “flying voters.”

Master Sergeant Aminola Ugarinan of the Maguing police said all 20 passengers were injured and hospitalized. The suspects fled before police arrived. – Rappler.com