We, leaders and representatives from civil society, academe, labor, and business—sectors that have long supported and contributed to sustaining peace in Mindanao—express deep concern and sadness over the growing tensions and public exchanges involving senior leaders of the Bangsamoro Government at this critical period for the peace process and regional transition.
At this sensitive moment, we appeal to all concerned leaders and stakeholders to exercise sobriety, restraint, and wisdom. We urge all parties to step back from escalating actions and rhetoric and to seek a principled and peaceful way of resolving differences—one that honors the decades of sacrifice, comradeship, and collective struggle for the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination and just peace.
The Bangsamoro peace process must remain anchored on the welfare, aspirations, and voices of ordinary Bangsamoro communities—not on personalities, factions, or outside political interests. Concerns relating to governance and accountability should be addressed through due process, fairness, and the institutions established under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
We respectfully call on Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Minister Mohagher Iqbal, as senior leaders of the Bangsamoro struggle and transition, to exhaust all avenues for dialogue and internal resolution in the spirit of unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility. At this critical time, all sides must avoid actions that may deepen polarization or create conditions that could inflame tensions on the ground.
We strongly urge all parties to refrain from interference, divisive political maneuvering, and actions that have weakened Bangsamoro unity and undermined confidence in the peace process. The continuing resurgence of divide-and-rule dynamics within and around the Bangsamoro transition risks deepening internal fractures, eroding hard-won trust, and delaying the realization of a just and lasting peace for the Bangsamoro people.
We call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the national government to give urgent attention to the situation and help ensure that the gains of the peace process are protected. In particular, we reiterate the urgent need for the immediate reconstitution and full activation of the GPH-MILF Peace Implementing Panels to address emerging concerns and ensure the full implementation of the CAB.
Above all, we appeal to all parties to ensure that this situation does not escalate into violence or armed confrontation. The Bangsamoro people have already endured generations of conflict and displacement. Peace, stability, and unity must remain paramount, especially as the region approaches the 2026 elections.
As peace advocates and civil society partners from the Bangsamoro and the broader Philippine community, we remain ready to assist in dialogue and confidence-building efforts should such support be welcomed.
The Bangsamoro people deserve leadership guided by wisdom, restraint, justice, and unity. We hope that the same spirit that sustained the peace process through difficult times will prevail once more today.
MAY 19, 2026
Signatories: • Al Mujadilaa Women’s Association • Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) • Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO PI) • Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) • International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) • Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) • Tindig Pilipinas Teresita Quintos Deles • Miriam Coronel Ferrer • Senen Bacani • Yasmin Busran Lao • Anna Tarhata Basman
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