From ballots to prayers. From division to unity.
A day after the historic first Parliamentary Election of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Mindanao (BARMM), hundreds of Bangsamoro from all sectors converged in Marawi City to hold a Multi-Sectoral Prayer and Peace Walk, calling for healing, solidarity, and the continuation of the Bangsamoro peace process.
The walk, convened by Johary Ditucalan Ayo and participated in by a broad coalition of Bangsamoro civilsociety organization, started from the Old Capitol in Barangay Panggao Saduc to the JMM Covered Court in Barangay Matampay. Participants — Ulama and religious leaders, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), women, youth, settlers, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) — carried placards that read: “Bangsamoro First,” “We Want Peace, We Want Unity,” and “Continue the Peace Process.”
More than 3,000 participated in the prayer and peace assembly. The initiative was not organized by any political party or candidate, but by the people themselves.
WHY THE PRAYER and WALK for Peace NOW?
As Convenor of the multi-sectoral assembly, Johary Ditucalan Ayo explained the rationale behind the timely gathering. Saying “We are holding this Prayer and Peace Walk today because the first-ever Parliamentary Election of the BARMM has concluded. The Political Track is over. The campaign and the conflicts among different colors and parties are over. But the entire Peace Process is not yet over,” he said.
The convenors believed that the election was only one phase of a much larger journey.”Now, we are in the Normalization Track — this is the continuation of real change on the ground: the decommissioning of combatants, transitional justice, amnesty, and socio-economic development for combatants and communities.” they stresssed.
The Normalization Track, under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is the heart of the peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While the Political Track established the Bangsamoro government and its parliament, the Normalization Track ensures that peace is felt in the communities — that former combatants return to normal life with dignity, that victims receive justice, and that war-torn communities are rebuilt.
“It is time to heal, to unite, and to pray. That is why we, the Ulama, Traditional Leaders, CSOs, women, youth, settlers, and IPs, gathered — to show that the Bangsamoro is one in calling to continue and protect the Peace Process. The election is over; it is time for unity for peace,” Ayo stressed. The program started with a communal Du’a (prayer) led by the Ulama, asking for guidance for the new parliament and for the preservation of peace in Mindanao.
TWO CLEAR CALLS TO LEADERSHIP
The Led-Convenor presented two very clear and urgent calls to the national and Bangsamoro leadership on behalf of all sectors.
First Call: Dialogue Between Chairman Murad and President Marcos Jr. Before October 30.
The group called for a dialogue between MILF Chairman and BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) before October 30.
“A meeting between Chairman Murad and President Marcos Jr. before October 30 is important. This meeting is vital to maintain trust, unity, and direction of the peace process. We need a clear commitment from both leaders,” Ayo said.
The Led-Convenor emphasized that, the strong partnership between President Marcos Jr. and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has been the anchor of the peace process in recent years. A high-level meeting before the end of October would signal to the Bangsamoro people that both Manila, the Bangsamoro Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front remain committed to the agreements, despite the political noise brought by the elections.
Second Call: Full Normalization Track Implementation and Exit Agreement During PBBM Term. The assembly called for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the signing of the Exit Agreement during the term of President Marcos Jr., once all commitments are fulfilled.
“The Exit Agreement is the proof that the promise of peace has been fulfilled. We want to see that during the term of President PBBM, after all commitments have been implemented, genuine and lasting peace will finally be achieved for the Bangsamoro.”
The Exit Agreement, as defined in the CAB, is the final document that will be signed by both parties to officially end the peace negotiations, once all components have been fully implemented. For many Bangsamoro, the signing of the Exit Agreement under President Marcos Jr. would be a historic legacy.
“This is not about politics. This is about our future. From Ballots to Unity. From Division to Prayer. Bangsamoro Interest First before personal or party interest,” Ayo concluded.
The walk ended at the JMM Covered Court with another prayer for peace, followed by messages of solidarity from women leaders, youth leaders, Traditional Leaders, and IP representatives.
By: RAWATEN Secretariat, CBCS Network Member in Marawi and Lanao Sur
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