Statement by the Foreign Minister

September 18, 2026
Japanese
  1. On September 14th, the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election was conducted for the first time, pursuant to the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro in 2014 and the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Republic of the Philippines.
  2. While there were several incidents including acts of violence during the election, a large number of voters turned out to cast their ballots at polling stations. Japan strongly hopes that the holding of this election, a historic step in the long-standing Mindanao peace process, will lead to peaceful and steady progress toward the formal establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government.
  3. Japan sincerely commends the efforts of all parties concerned, such as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), which made efforts on the conduct of this election. Japan also reiterates its respect for years of tireless efforts by officials of the Government of the Philippines and those involved in BARMM including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to make steady progress on the Mindanao peace process.
  4. Japan has consistently supported the Mindanao peace process for more than thirty years. In connection with this election, Japan has also provided assistance for the conduct of the inclusive and transparent election, including the dispatch of the election observer mission led by Mr. ONISHI Yohei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge the various efforts made by Japanese stakeholders in contributing to the progress of the peace process.
  5. Convinced that peace in Mindanao contributes to regional peace and stability, Japan, as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner of the Philippines, will continue to stand by both the Government of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and strongly support for the realisation of the just and sustainable peace in Mindanao.

(Reference)

  1. The Mindanao peace process
    1. Through peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF, the Framework Agreement was signed in October 2012 under the Aquino administration, and the Comprehensive Agreement was finally signed in March 2014.
    2. Based on the final peace agreement, the new autonomous government (Bangsamoro) will be established through the following transition process: (i) the enactment of the Organic Law (enacted in July 2018); (ii) holding a municipal plebiscite (conducted in January and February 2019); (iii) the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (established in February 2019); and (iv) the election of the Bangsamoro Parliament.
    3. Japan has been actively supporting the advancement of the peace process and to the reconstruction and development of the Mindanao region through efforts that include; (i) the dispatch of development experts to the Social and Economic Development Section of the International Monitoring Team (the IMT’s mandate ended and it withdrew at the end of June 2022); (ii) the concentrated implementation of economic cooperation projects such as extending Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security in former conflict-affected areas (Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)); and (iii) participation in the International Contact Group (ICG) that provides advice on the peace process by attending peace talks as an observer.
      On this Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, Japan promoted voter education in collaboration with international organisations and NGOs and supported the capacity building of the COMELEC through the provision of equipment.
  2. Results summary of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election
    1. Approximately 2.4 million voters. Voter turnout: 84.34%.
    2. Out of all 80 seats, the Bansamoro Federal Party (BFP) won 31 seats as the largest party, while the United Bansamoro Justice Party (UBJP) won 30 seats as the second-largest party.
    3. Mr. George Erwin M. Garcia, Chairperson of the Commission on Elections, described in his reflection that this election was successful and peaceful as a whole.

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