In a significant move towards ensuring tranquility during the upcoming midterm elections, candidates in Pahamuddin town, located within the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have vowed to maintain peace and credibility throughout the electoral process. This commitment was made evident during a candidates’ forum held on February 5, 2025, at the Datu Daud Rahman High School gymnasium in Barangay Libungan Torreta.
The forum, facilitated by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), included a unity walk, a peace covenant signing, and a pledge of commitment from the candidates. Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the commander of 6ID, emphasized that the event was designed to promote a peaceful political environment and safeguard the integrity of the elections. The forum saw participation from candidates vying for mayoral, vice-mayoral, and town council positions.
Key figures such as mayoral candidates Yasser Ebrahim and Nimo Sinarimbo, along with vice mayoral hopefuls Ibrahim Rahman and Esmael Talusan, publicly committed to eschewing violence during the campaign period, on election day, and post-election. In a joint radio interview, the mayoral candidates expressed their readiness to accept the election results, highlighting their familial ties and shared community bonds.
Pahamuddin, one of the eight newly formed municipalities in the SGA-BARMM, is part of the region that was previously part of North Cotabato province. The 6ID plans to continue its engagement with local candidates to foster a peaceful and credible electoral atmosphere.
The Commission on Elections-BARMM has flagged over 100 municipalities as areas of concern for the May 12 elections, with 32 of these labeled as ‘hotspots’ due to heightened political tensions.