COTABATO CITY – The peace implementing panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) issued on May 31 a joint statement highly commending the security sector and peace mechanisms for their instrumental role in ensuring peaceful and credible 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a statement released from Cotabato City, both panels expressed strong satisfaction with the collaborative efforts that prevented armed conflict and significantly reduced election-related violence across the region.

"The various joint peacebuilding activities and confidence-building measures... manifested the Parties’ strong desire for a peaceful and credible democratic exercise," read the joint statement, signed by GPH Peace Implementing Panel Chair Cesar Yano and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal.

A key factor in the successful conduct of the elections was the establishment and deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) by both parties. These teams, according to the statement, "proved to be effective in preventing armed conflict and reducing the occurrence of election-related violence," and "helped sustain confidence between the government security forces and the members of the MILF - Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)."

The panels specifically lauded the dedication and professionalism of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the BIAF for their continuous work in maintaining peace and order. 

Appreciation was also extended to the GPH-MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Posts (JCMPs), Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC), and Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) for their crucial contributions.

The successful conduct of the 2025 NLE sets a positive precedent as the region now looks forward to the inaugural BARMM parliamentary elections, slated for October 2025. Both panels expressed optimism, stating, "As we look forward to the first BARMM parliamentary elections in October 2025, we hope to see the same degree of cooperation and level of efficiency from among everyone."

The joint statement underscores the continued commitment of both the Philippine government and the MILF to uphold the gains of the peace process and ensure a stable and democratic future for the Bangsamoro people.