KapitalPeace

02/04/2026

STATEMENT of Appreciation on the Recent Democratic Progress in the Bangsamoro’s Political Struggle

April 02, 2026

Every individual possesses the inherent right to select their preferred candidate or government leader, just as all persons are entitled to organize political parties dedicated to the advancement and betterment of the Bangsamoro. In the exercise of these rights, it is imperative that mutual respect and regard be maintained among all stakeholders, for beneath the diversity of our principles lies a unifying identity that binds us all as Bangsamoro people.

The right to political participation, the freedom to organize and establish political parties, and the right to suffrage are firmly grounded in a comprehensive framework of legal instruments at the international, national, and regional levels. Internationally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 21 affirms the right of every person to take part in the governance of their country and to vote in genuine elections, while the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 25 guarantees the right to participate in public affairs, to vote and be elected without discrimination, and Article 22 protects the freedom to form and join associations, including political organizations. At the national level, the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines enshrines universal suffrage for all qualified citizens in Article V, safeguards the right to organize in Article XIII Section 15, and establishes provisions for autonomous regions such as the Bangsamoro in Article X, ensuring meaningful political engagement for its inhabitants. Within the Bangsamoro region, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054) outlines specific guidelines for the structure and operations of the Bangsamoro Parliament, including regulations for the registration and organization of political parties that serve the region’s interests; it further ensures suffrage for all eligible residents, with particular emphasis on fostering inclusive participation among marginalized sectors, including the youth.

As KapitalPeace, an organization dedicated to empowering young people through enhanced participation in governance and peacebuilding initiatives, we express profound satisfaction with the democratic progress currently taking shape in the Bangsamoro. The formation and establishment of new political parties expand the range of options available to the public, offering diverse platforms that respond to the varied needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. This development also creates valuable opportunities for young individuals to become part of political organizations, ensuring that youth perspectives are represented and that advocacy efforts address the concerns affecting our community—especially those in remote areas who face limited access to essential opportunities, programs, and services.

We hereby encourage our fellow youth to engage in thorough and informed study of the political parties that will participate in the First Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election scheduled for September 2026. Through this deliberate engagement, we ensure that our voices as young voters, and the power of our ballots, contribute meaningfully to the collective journey toward building a free, prosperous, peaceful, and deeply democratic Bangsamoro.

01/02/2026

STATEMENT OF CONDEMNATION AND CALL FOR ACTION

Re: Shooting Incident in Sitio Israel, New Abra, Matalam, Cotabato – January 29, 2026


ASSALAMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH AND TO ALL OUR FELLOW FILIPINOS:

KapitalPeace strongly condemns in the strongest terms the senseless shooting incident that claimed the lives of four members of one family including two minor out-of-school youth and injured a 14-year-old in Sitio Israel, Barangay New Abra, Matalam, Cotabato on the evening of January 29.

The loss of innocent lives, especially young Bangsamoro individuals who were just beginning to build their futures, is a profound tragedy that strikes at the heart of our collective aspiration for peace and progress in Mindanao. No cause, no conflict, and no grievance can ever justify the violence inflicted on families and children who deserve to live in safety and dignity.

We urge the Law Enforcement and Authorities, together with the AFP and 40th Infantry Battalion, to prioritize this case and conduct a transparent, impartial investigation. We call for the immediate identification and prosecution of all perpetrators responsible for this heinous act.

The 14-year-old survivor and the victims’ family must be provided with comprehensive security, medical care, and psychosocial support. Witnesses coming forward to assist in the investigation must be guaranteed safety from retaliation.

While the incident is not classified as an ambush, we call for a full examination of all possible motives including any links to local conflicts, land issues, or other factors that may threaten community peace.

For the Local officials in Matalam and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao we call to implement immediate steps to enhance security in rural and mountainous areas, ensuring that communities are protected from such acts of violence.

We urge leaders to convene inter-clan, inter-faith, and inter-community dialogues to address tensions and build stronger bonds of trust among residents in conflict-prone areas.

As young peacebuilders organization, we call on all Bangsamoro youth especially in Mindanao to reject violence and embrace peaceful means of resolving differences. Let us honor the victims by working to ensure no family suffers such loss again.

We encourage individuals and groups to contribute to relief efforts for the victims’ kin and the injured survivor, through legitimate channels coordinated with local authorities and civil society organizations.

We mourn with the families of the deceased and pray for the full recovery of the young survivor. This incident is a stark reminder that our work for peace is more urgent than ever.

Let us unite as one people; Bangsamoro and non-Bangsamoro alike to build a Mindanao where every child is safe, every youth has hope, and every community lives in peace.

Digitally Signed,

KAPITALPEACE

01/02/2026

ASSALAMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH!

To our beloved fellow Bangsamoro youth: sons and daughters of the land of peace and resilience, we will extend warm greetings of Ramadhan Mubarak as we embrace the incoming blessed and holy month of Ramadhan 2026!

As the crescent moon will rise over our cherished Bangsamoro homeland, it will bring with it not just the call to fast and pray, but a sacred opportunity to strengthen the bonds that will make us one people: faith, peace, unity, love, and harmony.

This Ramadhan, we will see in you the bright future of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. As you will observe sawm from dawn to dusk, this act of discipline will deepen your connection to Allah and will remind you of your noble purpose—to build a moral, progressive, and peaceful homeland for generations to come.

- In FAITH, your prayers and reflection on the Quran will guide your steps, will help you stand firm in righteousness and compassion. Your belief will be the foundation of all your actions, will inspire others to walk the path of goodness.
- In PEACE, this holy month will strengthen your commitment to resolving differences with understanding and respect. You will be the bridge builders who will heal divisions and will ensure that our region will thrive in tranquility, free from conflict and strife.
- In UNITY, you will recognize that our diversity—across tribes, clans, and backgrounds—is our greatest strength. As you will gather with family, friends, and neighbors for suhoor and iftar, we will celebrate our shared identity as Bangsamoro and will work hand in hand for common progress.
- In LOVE, you will extend your care not just to those closest to you, but to all members of our community—especially the less fortunate. Through zakat and sadaqah, through acts of kindness and support, love will be the language that will unite us all.
- In HARMONY, we will strive to live in balance with one another and with our land. We will build a Bangsamoro where every voice will be heard, every person will be valued, and progress will be rooted in moral integrity and mutual respect.

As we will break our fast each evening, we will envision the Bangsamoro we aspire to build—a region where youth will lead with wisdom, where peace will reign in every barangay, and where progress will be measured not just by development, but by the goodness of our hearts and the strength of our unity.

This Ramadhan will fill your homes with blessings, your hearts with hope, and our homeland with the promise of a brighter tomorrow. We will walk together as one Bangsamoro youth movement, dedicated to shaping a moral and progressive future for all.

Once again Advance RAMADHAN MUBARAK TO ALL BANGSAMORO YOUTH!

Wa alaikumussalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

23/09/2025

Empowering Youth in Human Rights: KapitalPeace Joins Intermediate Paralegal Training Program

Human rights are a vital part of building a fair society, and young people play a crucial role in driving this change. Protecting and promoting human rights is everyone’s responsibility, and youth must be actively involved.

KapitalPeace, an organization working to create peace and defend the rights of young people to live safely and freely, recently took part in an important event. From September 15–19, 2025, they attended the Intermediate Paralegal Training hosted by the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC). This training aimed to strengthen the skills of human rights advocates in the Bangsamoro region by teaching legal strategies, advocacy tools, and practical ways to tackle ongoing issues.

Ms. Sittie Shahida Buleg Kanakan, President of KapitalPeace, represented the organization. She highlighted their focus on ensuring young voices are heard in decisions that shape their communities and futures. The organization also express its sincere appreciation and thanks to Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission for the opportunity given to the young human rights defenders in the Bangsamoro to harness their skills and knowledge on human rights protection.

20/08/2025

Call to Action: Bangsamoro Youth Leaders and Peace Advocates

Recent developments underscore the precarious state of the Bangsamoro peace process and demand our immediate attention. In recent weeks, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) announced the suspension of combatant decommissioning due to the National Government's failure to fulfill its promises to those undergoing the process. Subsequently, the M**F issued directives to the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, prohibiting participation in decommissioning-related programs or activities without explicit authorization from the M**F leadership. Adding to the uncertainty, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia recently addressed challenges surrounding the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. While the Bangsamoro Transition Authority-Parliament passed the re-allocation of seven seats from Sulu to other provinces on Tuesday, Chairman Garcia noted that this measure must undergo further processes before becoming law.

Chairman Garcia expressed the COMELEC's dilemma regarding whether to proceed with elections based on the current 73 seats. He explained that if the Redistricting Act of 2025 is enacted before the election, a re-filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) would be necessary due to district changes.

He further stated that this uncertainty could impact the ballot printing process, which commenced on Wednesday.

Despite these challenges, Chairman Garcia assured the public that COMELEC remains committed to preparing for the elections, ensuring the process proceeds for either 73 or 80 seats. However, the way we perceive it, his statements suggest the potential for an extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, a prospect the M**F opposes.

These unfolding developments carry profound implications for the future of the Bangsamoro. The government’s failure to uphold its commitments risks fracturing the peace process and jeopardizing the hard-won agreements between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) and the Philippine government. Without decisive action to safeguard these accords, we risk regressing to an era of conflict one where our fathers are absent from our homes, sacrificing in the mountains to defend the aspirations of the Bangsamoro.

The delayed implementation of the decommissioning of combatants, coupled with the failure to provide promised livelihood and social services, stands as a glaring betrayal of trust by the National Government. Furthermore, the disregard for the appointment of nominees from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) constitutes a direct violation of the peace agreement. Continued noncompliance threatens to reignite discord and violence, undoing decades of progress toward reconciliation.

If we remain silent today, we risk condemning future generations to the horrors of widespread conflict between the Bangsamoro and the state.

Now is the moment to unite. We call upon the National Government to honor its obligations under the peace agreement and deliver on its promises without delay. We demand accountability for those obstructing justice and undermining the aspirations of the Bangsamoro. The government must rectify its failures and uphold the integrity of the peace process. We urge them to return to the negotiation table to resolve all violations of the peace agreement and to reinstate the International Monitoring Team to oversee compliance by both parties.

Silence is not an option; our collective future hangs in the balance.

Bangsamoro Youth, rise! Join the call for justice, respect, and the full implementation of the peace agreement. Amplify your voices for lasting peace, equitable progress, and sustainable development in our homeland. Restore what is rightfully ours. Dismantle the barriers and actors sabotaging our shared vision.

Let your resolve echo across the Bangsamoro: Peace is non-negotiable. Progress is our right. Unity is our strength.

26/07/2025

Call for Transparency, Accountability, And Strengthen the Implementation of Agreed Peace Covenant

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) indeed stands as a historic achievement, a testament to the power of dialogue over division. As we commemorate its 7th anniversary, we recognize the strides made in transforming the BARMM into a beacon of hope and progress. The reintegration of former combatants into peaceful, productive roles a cornerstone of the Normalization Program reflects the profound potential of reconciliation.

However, as a peace advocate youth organization committed to justice and equity, we must amplify the voices of decommissioned mujahideen whose grievances remain unresolved. Their trust in the peace process hinges on the government’s fulfillment of its commitments. While we celebrate milestones, we cannot overlook the following urgent concerns:

1. Unmet Promises: A Crisis of Trust

Many decommissioned combatants from earlier batches report that pledges tied to their surrender of arms—housing, scholarships, healthcare, and livelihood programs—have yet to materialize fully. The one-time ₱100,000 payment, while a start, falls tragically short of enabling families to rebuild their lives.

The anticipated ₱1 million package, symbolizing the government’s covenant with those who laid down arms, remains elusive. This delay erodes faith in the process and risks undermining the normalization gains.

2. Security Precedes Sustainability

Decommissioning cannot succeed in a vacuum. Communities demand disarmament of private militias and political dynasties’ goons that perpetuate fear and instability. As long as these armed groups operate with impunity, families cannot safely invest in livelihoods or send children to school. Peace requires not just demobilizing former rebels but dismantling all structures of violence.

3. Clarity, Transparency, and Dignity

The decommissioning framework lacks binding timelines, measurable deliverables, and accountability mechanisms. Combatants deserve clarity: What specific support will they receive, and when? How will the government ensure no community is left behind? A participatory approach—community-led oversight and grievance redress systems—would rebuild trust and ensure commitments are honored.

A Call to Strengthen the Peace Covenant

The BOL’s promise thrives not in rhetoric but in action. To sustain this hard-won peace, We urge the Marcos administration and OPAPRU to:

- Expedite delivery of the ₱1 million package and social services pledged to decommissioned combatants;
- Prioritize disarmament of all non-state armed groups, ensuring communities thrive free from fear;
- Codify decommissioning obligations into law, with transparent monitoring by civil society and international partners.

The Bangsamoro peace process is a mirror of our nation’s values. Let it reflect not just past achievements but unwavering resolve to uphold justice, dignity, and equity for all.

May we continue walking this path together with courage, honesty, and shared purpose.

Shukran.

In solidarity,

KapitalPeace

25/06/2025

Ang gusto namin ay matuloy ang kauna unahang Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election. Panahon na upang hayaan na ang Bangsamoro people ang mamili kung sino sino dapat ang nakaupo sa Parliament, political party na dapat manungkulan na maghahalal sa uupong chief minister ng BARMM.

10/03/2025

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗮𝘄?

March 10, 2025 — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent appointments to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) have sparked controversy and raised serious legal questions. By appointing individuals who were not officially endorsed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F), Marcos may have directly violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the landmark legislation governing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

A Clear Legal Mandate

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054), serves as the legal foundation of the BARMM. It was the product of decades of negotiations between the Philippine government and the M**F, culminating in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. Central to this agreement was the commitment that the M**F would lead the transition towards full autonomy, ensuring that those who had fought for peace and self-governance would be at the helm.

Section 2, Article XVI of the BOL explicitly states that the “Moro Islamic Liberation Front shall lead the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).” This provision was designed to recognize the M**F’s role in the peace process and ensure continuity as the region prepares for its first parliamentary elections in 2025. As a consequence of leading the BTA, the President is expected to appoint from the official list of nominees transmitted by the M**F.

Appointments Without M**F Endorsement

Despite the clear legal provision, Marcos appointed individuals as Chief Minister and Members of Parliament who were not endorsed in the official list submitted by the M**F. This move not only disregards the agreement underpinning the BOL but also weakens the credibility of the M**F’s leadership in the transition.

By bypassing and ignoring the M**F’s recommendations on who shall function as Chief Minister and as well as members of the BTA, the President has effectively stripped the M**F of its rightful role in leading the governance of BARMM, a role assigned to it by the Bangsamoro Organic Law and earned through years of struggle and negotiation. This raises serious concerns about the Philippine government’s sincerity to its obligations under the CAB and BOL.

A Breach of Trust

The appointment of non-M**F-endorsed individuals, whether they belong to the M**F or not, is more than a technical violation—it is a breach of the trust that underpins the peace process. The M**F chose the path of negotiation, believing in the promises made by the government. Marcos’ decision now casts doubt on whether those promises will be upheld.

This move also risks alienating the M**F’s base. Many in the Bangsamoro view the BTA as a transitional government meant to prepare the region for genuine autonomy under the leadership of those who fought for it. By altering the composition of the BTA without M**F consent, the administration risks deepening political divisions and reigniting frustrations among former combatants and their communities.

Undermining the Transition

Beyond the legal and political implications, this decision threatens the stability of the Bangsamoro transition. The BTA has been tasked with critical governance reforms, including drafting a regional electoral code and ensuring that institutions are in place for the 2025 elections. Without a leadership that reflects the peace process’s spirit, the transition may be derailed.

Furthermore, sidelining the M**F could embolden spoilers—groups that oppose the peace process—to exploit dissatisfaction and stir unrest. The risk is not just political instability but a setback in the gains made toward sustainable peace in Mindanao.

The M**F, for its part, has voiced its concerns and may explore legal and diplomatic avenues to challenge the appointments. However, the larger question is whether Marcos will reconsider his decision or double down on it.

For the broader peace process, this moment is pivotal. If the Philippine government disregards key provisions of the BOL, it sets a dangerous precedent. If the M**F’s role is eroded, confidence in the peace process may weaken, potentially discouraging other armed groups from negotiating with the state.

Conclusion

President Marcos’ decision to appoint individuals outside the M**F’s official list to the BTA is more than just a political maneuver—it is a potential violation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and a betrayal of the peace process. If the government is serious about fulfilling its commitments, it must honor the agreements that led to the BOL’s passage. Otherwise, it risks undoing years of progress and destabilizing one of the country’s most fragile but hopeful regions.

The question now is whether the administration will correct course—or whether the Bangsamoro people will once again be forced to demand for what was already promised to them.

(Source: The Editorial Desk of Luwaran.com)

Continuing struggle for the right to self-determination and freedom of the Bangsamoro People.