Bandar Rajah Buayan (July 21, 2025) --The Bandar Rajah Buayan Committee, recognized in 2022, and composed of 16 Muslim-populated villages out of the 26 barangays in General Santos City—where most other barangays are Settler-majority—has officially declared its full support for the continuing peace process between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH).

In a public statement issued today, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to the Bangsamoro cause, stating that their involvement in the peace journey dates to the early years of the negotiation process in 1997. According to the (Bandar) group, every milestone and challenge encountered by both the MILF and the GPH has had a meaningful impact on the communities of Bandar Rajah Buayan, especially among the Bangsamoro in General Santos City.

“Although we are not within the official territorial jurisdiction of the BARMM, our communities are designated as part of the Other Bangsamoro Communities (OBC) under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL),” the statement said. “Still, we fully support the direction, principles, and policies of the MILF. Whatever they pursue in accordance with justice, peace, and the spirit of jihad fi-sabilillah, we stand behind it with our full efforts.”

In an interview conducted by the author, Chairman Apo Adam (Pukeg) Jamblang of the Bandar Rajah Buayan Committee shared their long-standing connection and continued involvement in the peacebuilding efforts:

“Our communication with the MILF Central Committee was never lost. We were consulted on major steps related to negotiations, and we actively joined peace and prayer rallies held at the Oval Plaza in General Santos City. Through our participation in civil society organizations, we were part of the journey from the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and eventually to the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which laid the foundation for the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA)—the current interim government of the BARMM.”

The committee strongly called on the MILF and GPH Implementing Panels to proceed without delay with the first regular BARMM parliamentary elections, scheduled on October 13, 2025.

For the committee, this election is not just a routine political exercise, but a major step toward fulfilling the decades-long struggle for self-governance, justice, and peace in the Bangsamoro homeland.

“This is not just an election—it is the realization of a historic promise,” the statement concluded. “Though we live outside the formal boundaries of BARMM, our hearts, hopes, and loyalty remain with the vision and leadership of the MILF.”

The Bandar Rajah Buayan Committee ended its statement with a strong affirmation of continued solidarity with the MILF and the peace process, committing to support and uplift Bangsamoro communities in both core and non-core territories of the BARMM.