MANILA, Philippines — Leaders and members of the Save Bangsamoro Movement (SBM) held a peace rally in Mendiola on Wednesday morning to call on the national government to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling and push through with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections in March 2026.
The rally, joined by over 400 participants from Baseco and Taguig, carried messages urging the Marcos administration to honor the Bangsamoro people’s right to choose their leaders and end any further extensions of the transition period beyond its original purpose.
Placards bearing the slogans “Ipatupad ang SC Ruling — BARMM Election sa Marso 2026!”, “PBBM, italaga ang MILF-led BTA members sa Nobyembre 2025!”, and “Oust Sec. Galvez!” were prominently displayed as demonstrators peacefully gathered near Mendiola Bridge.
In a statement, SBM spokesperson Datu Tokz Buludan reiterated the group’s demand for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to appoint new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) as endorsed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before November 2025.
Buludan emphasized that this move is in line with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which recognize the MILF as the legitimate representative of the Bangsamoro struggle.
“The national government must follow what is clearly stated in the peace agreement. The MILF’s role in leading the transition is a key pillar of lasting peace and genuine autonomy in the Bangsamoro,” Buludan said.
The group also called for the removal of Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., citing growing concerns about the actions of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) and its alleged interference in the peace process.
SBM members stressed that reforms in the interim Bangsamoro government are essential to ensure that it remains accountable, inclusive, and truly representative of the Bangsamoro people.
The peace rally concluded peacefully, with organizers reiterating their commitment to uphold the gains of the peace process while urging Malacañang to act decisively in accordance with the law and the signed peace agreements.