THE HISTORIC conclusion of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections marks a massive milestone, but as retired AFP chief and former security official Eduardo Año aptly pointed out, the shift from decades of armed struggle to democratic governance is bound to face profound growing pains.
Reflecting on the realities of the transition, Año offered a striking analogy: “They’re just starting out, and that’s expected. For the last 50 years, they’ve only been carrying guns and bullets, killing and killing.
Then suddenly they became members of parliament. Then came the election. They’re used to using guns and troops to get into positions. It’s like a tricycle driver suddenly being given a Mercedes-Benz. He’ll either crash or run over people. They need to learn without the use of firearms.”
Drawing from that vital perspective, the ultimate lesson of these elections runs deeper than the partial and unofficial tallies.
For a region shaped by decades of conflict, rido (clan feuds), and the barrel of a gun, true progress requires a fundamental cultural and political evolution.
Winning a seat can no longer rely on firepower, intimidation, or armed factions; it must be won through the democratic will of the people.
To build a genuinely stable government, former combatants and emerging leaders alike must learn to steer the wheels of a parliamentary system without crashing.
Ultimately, the true test of BARMM’s autonomy is whether its leaders can leave the culture of violence behind, unite as one Bangsamoro, and prove that true power rests in public service, the rule of law, and the ballot.
