Parang, Maguindanao del Norte – In a significant development towards peace and stability in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Mamadra Group, a Potential Private Armed Group (PAG) operating in Maguindanao del Norte, formally surrendered to authorities on September 23, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Police Regional Office (PRO) BAR Lounge, Camp BGen Salipada K. Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
The group, which was established in 2013, was armed with six firearms and had operated in Barangay Balut and Barangay Bungabong in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte. Their surrender is seen as a crucial step in the broader efforts to neutralize private armed groups, which have long been a destabilizing factor in the region.
Police Brigadier General Prexy D. Tanggawohn, Regional Director of PRO BAR, led the ceremony, alongside Police Brigadier General Romaldo G. Bayting, Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command, and Sultan Mastura Municipal Mayor Hon. Zulfikar Ali H. Panda, Sr.
In his address, PBGEN Tanggawohn expressed his gratitude to the Mamadra Group for their decision to surrender, praising the collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the local government, and concerned citizens in making the peaceful surrender possible.
“With our unwavering efforts and the support of other law enforcement agencies, the local government units, and concerned citizens, we have finally programmed the surrender of the Mamadra Potential Private Armed Group,” Tanggawohn said. “Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa kanilang buong kaloobang pagsuko at pagbabalik-loob sa ating gobyerno. Nawa’y magsilbi itong panimula ninyo para sa inyong maayos at tahimik na pamumuhay kasama ng ating pamayanan.”
The Persistent Issue of Private Armed Groups in BARMM
Private armed groups (PAGs) have been a longstanding issue in the BARMM region, contributing to violence, political instability, and lawlessness. Often tied to local political figures or criminal syndicates, PAGs have historically been used to secure influence, particularly during election periods, as well as to protect illegal businesses such as smuggling and drug trafficking. The surrender of PAGs is critical to the Bangsamoro region’s long-term peace and development goals.
In recent years, BARMM has been under intensified scrutiny as authorities seek to dismantle private armies and address the underlying causes of armed conflict in the region. The presence of PAGs has also complicated efforts to curb clan feuds, or “rido,” which have frequently escalated into deadly violence.
Government’s Efforts to Disband Private Armies
The surrender of the Mamadra Group comes amid ongoing government efforts to disband private armies in BARMM under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (DPAGs) program. Both initiatives are part of a larger “whole-of-nation” approach that aims to foster peace and order in conflict-affected areas through law enforcement, local government participation, and community engagement.
In his message, PBGEN Tanggawohn emphasized that the surrender marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing campaign against private armed groups, urging other groups still operating in the shadows to follow the Mamadra Group’s example. “This is the beginning of a peaceful future not only for the Mamadra group but for the entire community that has been affected by their activities.”
He also reassured the Mamadra Group that the government is ready to assist them in reintegrating into society, offering them opportunities to lead peaceful and productive lives through various government programs.
Towards Lasting Peace and Security in BARMM
The surrender of the Mamadra Group is a positive step toward improving security conditions in BARMM, which has historically been plagued by violence from both insurgent groups and private militias. The region is still transitioning to peace following decades of conflict between the government and Muslim separatist movements, culminating in the creation of BARMM after the landmark peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
However, private armed groups, alongside other security threats such as extremist groups and political violence, continue to pose significant challenges to lasting peace in the region. The continued disbandment of PAGs is seen as a necessary part of stabilizing BARMM and supporting its political and socio-economic development.
As the Bangsamoro government prepares for its first regional parliamentary elections in 2025, the reduction of PAG influence will be essential in ensuring fair and peaceful electoral processes. The peaceful surrender of the Mamadra Group could serve as a model for other armed groups to follow, as both the national government and BARMM leadership push for a more secure and inclusive political environment.
