MANILA, Philippines – Violent extremism is resurging in the Bangsamoro region, with conflict spreading even in areas once declared free of terrorist influence, an independent peace monitor warned on Thursday, February 20.
The Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), a non-governmental organization analyzing climate and conflict data, said, “Violent extremism is down but not out,” and the region is now faced with “urgent questions about its capacity to prevent a deeper relapse into violence.”
The CCAA said divisions within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a key player in the peace process, have contributed to the emergence of radical splinter groups.
Disillusioned by stalled reforms and persistent grievances, these factions have begun to rearm — a trend reflected in the region’s increasing violence.
“Violence has been on a steady rise, showing no signs of a decline,” read part of a CCAA statement. It said 2024 marked the sharpest increase in conflict since the 2017 Marawi siege.
This spike in violence aligns with a broader trend of escalating conflict, as seen in the 2,951 incidents recorded in 2024. It was an increase of 476 from the previous year.
Francisco Lara Jr., CCAA executive director, presented data showing that violence in the predominantly Muslim region has been rising since 2021, reversing a decline observed between 2017 and 2019.
Lara’s group linked the increase to the resurgence of ISIS activity and the destabilizing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, conflict incidents have continued to climb.
The May 12, 2025 elections could further destabilize the region, CCAA warned, pointing to illicit arms trafficking and governance failures as key drivers of conflict.
The resurgence is most pronounced in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Basilan, provinces once hailed as counter-extremism success stories but now witnessing renewed instability. (Lanao del Norte is not a BARMM province; it falls under the Northern Mindanao region.)
In the Lanao provinces, CCAA monitored an intensified recruitment drive, particularly among young people.
“Notably, one of the key actors fueling these conflicts is the MILF itself,” said the CCAA, adding that warring factions have been engaging in violent confrontations even before the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed by the government and MILF.
The CCAA added, “Over time, these divisions have given rise to new, more radical groups that embrace extremist rhetoric and terroristic practices.”
The recruitment has translated into real-world violence, as seen in a December 2024 ambush in Basilan that left several intelligence officers dead, suggesting extremism’s resilience.
In January, another ambush in Basilan targeted Army troops securing a United Nations Development Program team, with military officials attributing it to an MILF-linked group.
On February 6, military and police forces intervened to prevent further clashes between rival MILF factions in Maguindanao del Sur. Authorities arrested 17 MILF members and seized their firearms.
Despite clear violations of the election gun ban, authorities released the arrested MILF members without explanation, raising concerns about uneven law enforcement.
Authorities “must enforce the gun ban with full impartiality,” the peace monitor said. “This applies not only to local politicians but also to the MILF and other armed groups. No group should have the power to obstruct security forces in implementing the law. The government must ensure that any violations… are met with immediate accountability, including arrests and disarming if necessary.”
As the BARMM prepares for its first parliamentary elections simultaneously with the national polls this May, the surge in violence poses a direct challenge to the peace process.
The CCAA expressed fear that extremist groups and armed factions were being enlisted by local politicians ahead of the elections.
Recently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in BARMM has sought the deployment of 3,000 more officers to bolster security in the region, citing concerns over election-related violence.
The region’s police also sought expanded checkpoint powers to target influential figures, though the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has yet to act on the request.
Aside from the threat of violent extremism, the CCAA also raised alarms over clan feuds and revenge killings in the BARMM.
The CCAA and Early Response Network (ERN) tracked 28 ongoing clan feuds across the region, conflicts that have already claimed lives and forced families from their homes.
Among the areas which saw the most violent clashes in 2024 were:
Maguindanao del Sur
- Mamasapano
- Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
- Buluan
- Shariff Saydona Mustapha
- Rajah Buayan
- Sultan sa Barongis
Special Geographic Area
- Kadayangan
- Nabalawag
Maguindanao del Norte
- Datu Odin Sinsuat
Cotabato City
Lanao del Sur
- Malabang
- Butig
- Marawi City
Basilan
- Lantawan
- Maluso
- Hadji Mohammad Ajul
“These escalating revenge killings and horizontal wars highlight a growing pattern of instability,” CCAA said. – Rappler.com
