Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates - LAHRA

03/09/2026

IM4PEACE Mobilizes Volunteer Monitors for the Upcoming BARMM Parliamentary Elections

​COTABATO CITY, Philippines — September 3, 2026 — In firm commitment to democratic participation, citizen empowerment, and the exercise of the right of suffrage, IM4PEACE launches an orientation of its election monitor volunteers across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

​The orientation, scheduled from September 3 to 4, 2026, brings together a dedicated network of volunteers covering both online and offline observation methodologies.

​The participating observers represent a cross-section of communities across the region, including the Island Provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi; ​Mainland Provinces Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur; Special Geographic Area (SGA), Marawi City, and Cotabato City

​This volunteer combines the fresh energy of first-time monitors with the expertise of seasoned community observers who have participated in election monitoring under IM4PEACE since 2010.

​The two-day session is expected to equip field observers with essential knowledge and practical skills, focusing on:
> ​BARMM Electoral Processes: Key principles of the BARMM Parliamentary electoral system.
> ​Elections & the Peace Process: The direct structural link between peaceful, democratic elections and the fulfillment of the Bangsamoro Peace Agreements.
> ​Paralegal Guidance: Technical inputs on legal frameworks, incident reporting, and human rights oversight.
> ​Operations & Logistics: Practical, field-level safety guidelines and monitoring tools for both digital and ground operations, and channels of reporting.

​Ongoing Advocacy for Clean and Peaceful Elections

​IM4PEACE emphasizes that election observation efforts are already active on the ground. Alongside deployment preparations, the coalition is carrying out voter education and public awareness campaigns advocating for a clean, peaceful, and people's agenda-based election across the Bangsamoro, and forging partnerships with other independent election monitors like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voters, LENTE Philippines, and others.

IM4PEACE believes that ​the election in the Bangsamoro are inextricably linked to the dividends of peace. Safeguarding the ballot is safeguarding the peace process itself.

​About IM4PEACE:

IM4PEACE (Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections) is a grassroots Tri-People civil society initiative and peace network in Mindanao dedicated to promoting electoral integrity, active citizenship, and sustainable peace through community-driven election monitoring and voter education.

Focal Person:
Milyn Cruz
IM4PEACE
[email protected]

Mentioning:
COMELEC
PPCRV
LENTE Philippines
IEMC BARMM
ANFREL - Asian Network for Free Elections
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
Alliance of TriPeople for the Advancement of Human Rights
Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao
Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates - LAHRA
Kaagapay OFW Page
Tripod Cotabato
Mindanao Tri-people Women Resource Center, Inc.

03/09/2026

ISANG TANONG, ISANG SAGOT? Anong serbisyo at programang dapat prayoridad ng mauupong BARMM Parliament matapos ang Sept 14 election?

03/09/2026

Security forces stopped a convoy of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) members at a checkpoint in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Wednesday morning, Sept. 2, 2026, authorities said. INQUIRER

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

PAHRA CALLS FOR A RIGHTS-BASED, PEACEFUL AND CREDIBLE BARMM ELECTION

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) recognizes the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections as a historic milestone in the Bangsamoro's continuing journey toward peace, self-determination, democratic governance, and meaningful political participation.

For PAHRA, the election is not only about choosing representatives. It is about ensuring that every qualified voter can exercise the fundamental right to vote freely, safely, equally, and without fear, intimidation, coercion, violence, or discrimination.

We call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Bangsamoro Government, Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), local government units, and all concerned government agencies to fulfill their duty to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights throughout the campaign period, Election Day, and the post-election period.

PAHRA particularly calls on the government to protect every voter's right to participate in the electoral process without fear or coercion and to prevent and respond promptly to election-related violence, threats, intimidation, harassment, and attacks. Government institutions and security forces must remain politically neutral, with safeguards against the misuse of public resources or authority for partisan purposes.

Human rights defenders, journalists, community leaders, election observers, candidates, campaign workers, and other election stakeholders must likewise be protected from threats, harassment, violence, and reprisals. The electoral process must ensure meaningful and non-discriminatory participation of Moro communities, Indigenous Peoples, settler communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized sectors.

PAHRA also calls for full respect for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and access to information. Election-related human rights violations and offenses must be promptly investigated, with effective remedies and accountability regardless of the identity or political affiliation of those responsible.

A HISTORIC ELECTION MUST PROTECT THE TRI-PEOPLE

The electoral process must recognize the rights and aspirations of the Moro, Indigenous Peoples, and settler communities, the tri-people of BARMM.

PAHRA supports a Tri-People Agenda anchored on peace, self-determination, ancestral domain, ecological development, human rights defender protection, and human rights.

This means sustaining the gains of the peace process and protecting communities from violence, displacement, and injustice; ensuring meaningful participation in shaping the political, social, economic, and cultural future of BARMM; and protecting the ancestral lands, resources, culture, and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples.

It also means advancing a sustainable, rights-based alternative economy beyond extractive, exploitative, and destructive practices, while ensuring that human rights defenders and community advocates can work without threats, harassment, violence, or reprisals. Above all, the rights of all people must be respected, protected, and fulfilled without discrimination.

PAHRA also welcomes the recent selection of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) representatives to the BARMM Parliament during the Regional Inter-Tribal Convention, Timuay Labi Leticio Datuwata, a Lambangian leader defending ancestral lands and Indigenous Peoples' rights, and Jo Genna Jover, a Teduray advocate for Indigenous women's rights.

This is an important step toward genuine Indigenous representation and reflects the continuing struggle for recognition and meaningful participation in BARMM governance.

PAHRA HUMAN RIGHTS ELECTION MONITORING

PAHRA members in Mindanao, including the Alliance of Tri-People for the Advancement of Human Rights (ALTAHR), Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao (AMKP), SUMPAY Mindanao, and Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA), are initiating the BARMM Human Rights Election Monitoring through IM4Peace.

PAHRA is calling on its members and networks nationwide to join in solidarity and amplify the initiative at the national level through a joint monitoring, documentation, protection, rapid response, referral, and advocacy mechanism.

We will monitor and document human rights concerns before, during, and after the elections; support appropriate interventions and remedies; and, when necessary, elevate serious or systemic violations to national and international human rights mechanisms.

September 14 must be a day when the people of BARMM can exercise their right to vote, not a day when they are forced to choose between their political rights and their safety.

A credible election cannot be separated from human rights. A peaceful election is a human rights obligation. The right to vote must be protected. Every voice must be heard without fear.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

IM4PEACE–Lanao: For a Peaceful, Clean, and Informed 2026 BARMM Elections

As the Bangsamoro prepares for the 2026 BARMM elections, the Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Election (IM4PEACE)–Lanao stands ready to contribute to an electoral process that is peaceful, participatory, transparent, and credible.

The upcoming election is part of the larger process of the M**F peace process and the transition from armed struggle toward democratic participation and governance. The creation of the BARMM was a significant step in this process, but the work toward lasting peace does not end with the establishment of the region.

The continuing normalization process, including the decommissioning and reintegration of former M**F combatants, remains an important part of the transition. While thousands of combatants have already been decommissioned, challenges in completing the normalization process remain. This reality makes it even more important for communities and civil society to remain vigilant in protecting the democratic process and ensuring that the transition to peace is reflected in peaceful and credible elections.

Recognized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), IM4PEACE–Lanao will serve as a nonpartisan election watchdog and voter education body in Lanao del Sur, and surrounding communities. Our role is not to promote any candidate or political party, but to uphold the people's right to participate in elections that are free from intimidation, violence, misinformation, vote-buying, and other forms of electoral abuse.

This responsibility is even more important given the current security situation in Lanao del Sur. According to the COMELEC BARMM Election Areas of Concern classification as of July 29, 2026, 21 out of the 40 municipalities of Lanao del Sur or 52.5% are classified under the red category, while 5 or 12.5% are under orange and 14 or 35% are under yellow. This means that more than half of the municipalities in the province are under the highest level of election concern. Such conditions remind us that peaceful elections cannot be taken for granted and require the vigilance and participation of everyone, including civil society, faith communities, volunteers, and ordinary voters.

We will work with communities and volunteers to spread voter education, particularly among first-time voters and young people, by helping them understand their rights and responsibilities as voters, the electoral process, and the importance of making informed choices.

Beyond voter education, IM4PEACE–Lanao will help observe and document electoral concerns, encourage peaceful participation, and promote accountability throughout the electoral process. We believe that an informed electorate is a stronger defense against manipulation and electoral fraud thus strengthening democracy.

The 2026 BARMM elections are not only about choosing leaders. They are also about strengthening democratic participation and ensuring that the voices of Bangsamoro communities are heard and respected. As the Bangsamoro continues its transition from conflict toward democratic governance, protecting the integrity of the electoral process is also part of protecting the gains of the peace process.

We do not campaign for candidates. We campaign for clean elections.

We do not tell people whom to vote for. We help empower them to vote wisely.

We do not stand with political interests. We stand with the people's right to a peaceful, informed, and credible election.

From Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, IM4PEACE–Lanao is here to watch, educate, engage, and stand with the people for a peaceful and clean 2026 BARMM elections.

Para sa botanteng may alam.
Para sa eleksyong malinis.
Para sa kapayapaang pangmatagalan.

IM4PEACE–Lanao
Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Election

03/09/2026

03/09/2026