Politics

Japan’s “Unarmed Peace Support” Behind Bangsamoro’s First Parliamentary Election

BARMM held its first parliamentary election on September 14. A look at how Japan's "unarmed peace support," through J-BIRD and other programs, has helped sustain the Bangsamoro peace process.

2026年9月15日

Intergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPoliticsSociety

Bangsamoro Parliament Election Set to Become a Power Struggle Between the MILF’s Party and a Marcos-Aligned Party

With the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region's first parliamentary election now just days away, on September 14, some 2.4 million voters will choose 80 members…

2026年8月25日

Intergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPoliticsSociety

Sept. 14 Declared a Special Non-Working Day Across Bangsamoro as the Region Heads to Its First Parliamentary Election

President Marcos signed a proclamation making Sept. 14, BARMM's first parliamentary election day, a special non-working day across the region, as the poll body flags 108 areas as security concerns.

2026年8月23日

Philippine NewsPolitics

Convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Fired On, Raising Tensions Ahead of First Parliamentary Election

Armed men fired on the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Maguindanao del Norte on Aug. 15. No one was hurt, and the motive is unconfirmed ahead of the Sept. 14 election.

2026年8月17日

Incidents and AccidentsPhilippine NewsPolitics

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Holds Two Days of Hearings This Week, Focus on Audit Testimony Over Confidential Funds

The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was held over two days, August 11 and 12, 2026.

2026年8月14日

Philippine NewsPolitics

MNLF, MILF, BIFF, Abu Sayyaf, Maute — Decommissioning, Amnesty, and Can Former Combatants Run for Office? (Part 4 of 4, Final)

What sets the MNLF, MILF, BIFF, Abu Sayyaf, and Maute Group apart? Where their former leaders are now, how far MILF decommissioning has gone, amnesty for former combatants, and voting and candidacy rights.

2026年8月11日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

From Armed Group to Autonomous Government — How JICA Supports BARMM’s Administration (Part 4 of 4, Final)

The final part of this series on how JICA helped turn the Bangsamoro peace agreement into a functioning government — administrator training, development planning, roads, Marawi's reconstruction, agriculture, and the reintegration of former MILF combatants.

2026年8月11日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

Can You Legally Carry a Gun in Bangsamoro? — The Law on Unregistered Firearms, Security Companies, and Private Armies (Part 3 of 4)

Unregistered firearms are illegal in BARMM just as elsewhere in the Philippines. We explain the rules on gun registration, security company staffing caps, and why politicians' and clans' private armies are not legally permitted.

2026年8月10日

Intergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

The Narita Summit Between the President and the MILF Chairman — How Japan Supported the Peace Negotiations (Part 3 of 4)

How Japan's development work through J-BIRD and the IMT earned it the trust to help arrange the historic 2011 Narita meeting between President Aquino and MILF Chairman Murad — a turning point on the road to the 2014 Bangsamoro peace agreement.

2026年8月10日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPolitics

Does Bangsamoro Have Its Own Police, Military, or Currency? — Where Authority Over Land and Currency Sits with the Central Government (Part 2 of 4)

Does BARMM have its own police or military? We explain the roles of PRO BAR and the armed forces, the Torrens land registration system, and the circulation of currencies other than the Philippine peso, covering the region's security, land, and currency systems.

2026年8月9日

Intergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsPhilippine NewsPoliticsSociety