Bangsamoro holds first election as fears of renewed conflict linger

The Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region in the southern Philippines is holding its first parliamentary election, the final step in its transition to self-governance. The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace deal with the government in 2014, ending decades of conflict, and has run the region under an interim government since 2019. Now it is contesting 80 seats in the new parliament.

Peace has remained fragile: in 2016, ISIL-linked fighters briefly seized one town, and in August, Bangsamoro's chief minister survived an ambush, prompting checkpoints across the region. Poverty has halved under MILF's interim rule, but Bangsamoro remains one of the Philippines' poorest regions. Political dynasties that governed before 2019 are also contesting seats, arguing they can better serve their communities. Voters say lasting peace remains the only path to progress.

Al Jazeera's Barnaby Lo reports from Butig, Lanao del Sur, in the southern Philippines.

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