Over the past two months, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been severely impacted by a series of natural disasters and ongoing armed conflicts. Torrential rains and thunderstorms have displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Basilan. Floodwaters from rivers and tributaries inundated these areas, already vulnerable after months of drought caused by El Niño. The resulting destruction to crops and infrastructure has further exacerbated the region’s challenges.
As of the end of July, more than 110,000 families from 361 barangays were affected by the floods. Most evacuees were forced to seek refuge outside designated evacuation centers, fearing they could become targets of ongoing conflicts between various armed groups, particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). These extreme weather events, combined with the enduring conflict, highlight the double burden faced by BARMM’s residents and underscore the urgent need for immediate action to address both climate vulnerability and regional instability.
Armed Conflicts Compound the Crisis
In June, tensions escalated in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, when military forces withdrew, sparking fears of renewed clashes between the MILF and BIFF. These concerns were validated as violent incidents between the groups broke out in several municipalities, including Datu Piang and Datu Unsay, displacing thousands more residents.
By June 11, the Commission on Human Rights called for swift government intervention to protect the 6,000 residents displaced in Maguindanao del Sur. Despite this, violence continued, particularly in Datu Unsay, where armed clashes between rival MILF commanders left residents forced to seek shelter in flooded evacuation centers. The fact that people chose to stay in these inundated shelters rather than return to their homes illustrates the gravity of the violence in the region.
A month later, in Kadayangan, another 818 households were displaced due to clashes between the followers of a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander and a local barangay leader. The ongoing violence in BARMM has claimed multiple lives, disrupted normal life, and prevented the return of those displaced by both conflict and natural disasters.
Flooding and Conflict Intertwined
Flooding in late June and mid-July compounded the challenges in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur, displacing more families and causing further destruction. In addition to the flooding, conflicts linked to political rivalries, resource disputes, and land grabs further destabilized the region, with 3,000 residents fleeing Datu Odin Sinsuat in mid-July. The violence was so severe that schools were turned into evacuation centers, and classes were canceled.
The combination of natural disasters and violent conflict in BARMM presents a complex challenge for local and national authorities. Immediate action is required to prevent further displacement and suffering.
Teduray-Lambangian Struggles Amid Conflict
Non-Moro indigenous peoples (NMIP), particularly the Teduray-Lambangian communities, were also caught in the crossfire. In July, Teduray families fled violence in South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, after one member was assaulted over a land dispute. Their ancestral lands have long been threatened by both armed groups and land-grabbing incidents, exacerbated by government and private sector interests in mineral exploration and development.
Conclusion
The events of the past months have underscored the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address both the impact of climate change and ongoing conflict in BARMM. As global warming worsens, extreme weather events are expected to increase, further exacerbating the region’s vulnerabilities. Immediate, sustained action from both local and national authorities is essential to prevent future crises, particularly as many of the conflicts currently disrupting the region are deeply rooted and likely to resurface.
Efforts to address the displacement of indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups, curb illegal activities, and promote peacebuilding in conflict-prone areas are critical to ensuring a stable and resilient future for BARMM.
The Critical Events Monitoring System (CEMS), an SMS- and radio-based reporting system, has played a vital role in capturing real-time information on conflict incidents and tensions in communities across BARMM. The system is used by the Early Response Network (ERN), a group of independent volunteers who work with local governments, security forces, and community leaders to coordinate quick responses to violent conflicts, disasters, and displacement.
CEMS is managed by the Council for Climate and Conflict Action Asia (formerly International Alert Philippines), a regional organization focused on analyzing the drivers of conflict and their interaction with climate risks. The organization’s work helps shape policies and interventions aimed at peacebuilding, community development, and disaster response across the region.
