MANILA, Philippines — More than 1,000 Bangsamoro residents and supporters gathered along Mendiola in Manila on Monday, June 15, to call for the full implementation of the peace agreements that established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and to demand the return of regional leadership to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The demonstration, organized by the Save Bangsamoro Movement under the banner “Move for Peace Now!”, brought together participants from various Muslim groups and communities who expressed concern over the current direction of governance in BARMM ahead of the region’s first-ever parliamentary elections scheduled for September 14, 2026.
Protesters emphasized that the MILF remains the primary partner of the national government in implementing the peace process in Mindanao and should continue to play a central role in governing the autonomous region. They argued that preserving the gains of the peace process is essential to maintaining stability, unity, and development in the Bangsamoro.
Carrying banners and placards, demonstrators urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to honor and fully implement the commitments contained in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), both of which serve as the foundation of the Bangsamoro peace framework.
The group also called for the reinstatement of MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as Interim Chief Minister of BARMM, saying his leadership is crucial in ensuring continuity in the peace process and safeguarding the reforms achieved under the autonomous government.
In addition to their call for leadership changes within BARMM, the protesters demanded what they described as a “cleansing” of the regional government, urging the removal of individuals they labeled as “opportunists” who allegedly undermine the autonomy and governance of the Bangsamoro region.
The demonstrators likewise appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remove Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, accusing him of interfering in regional affairs and contributing to political instability in BARMM. The allegations have not been publicly substantiated, and as of press time, neither Malacañang nor Lagdameo’s office had issued an official response to the accusations.
Organizers maintained that their movement seeks to protect the autonomy of the Bangsamoro from external political interests and to ensure that the commitments made under the peace agreements are respected and fulfilled.
The protesters further urged the national government to immediately appoint a new chairperson for the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel to prevent delays in ongoing peace-related discussions and initiatives.
According to rally leaders, the Bangsamoro peace process remains one of the country’s most significant achievements in conflict resolution, and any deviation from the agreements forged between the government and the MILF could jeopardize years of progress toward lasting peace in Mindanao.
Despite the strong political messages delivered during the protest, authorities reported that the gathering remained peaceful throughout the day. Police forces were deployed in the area to ensure public safety and maintain order along the historic protest site.
As the countdown to BARMM’s inaugural parliamentary elections continues, Monday’s demonstration underscored the growing political tensions and competing visions for the future of the autonomous region. For the protesters, however, the message was clear: the success of the Bangsamoro peace process depends on faithfully upholding the agreements that ended decades of armed conflict and ensuring that the institutions created under those agreements remain true to their original mandate.
No official statement had been issued by the Palace regarding the protesters’ demands as of Monday afternoon.