BARMM Leaders Seek Special Prosecutor for Special Geographic Area

Residents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Special Geographic Area (SGA) may soon have direct access to legal representation as regional leaders push for dedicated prosecutorial services.

This move aims to bridge critical gaps in the local justice system and provide a clearer path for community reintegration.

BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Interior Minister Jodan Bayam met with Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Frederick A. Vida and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin A. Matibag in Gen. Santos City on Tuesday to address these administrative needs, the Philippine News Agency reported.

The primary request involves the appointment of a special prosecutor or an acting prosecutor specifically for the SGA. This area, which consists of eight towns in North Cotabato that joined the autonomous region, is currently in a transitional phase and has yet to be formally constituted as a provincial local government unit, making it the sixth province of the BARMM.

“This would ensure communities have access to justice and give former Moro combatants more opportunities to rebuild their lives,” Jodan Bayam said in a statement.

BARMM Leaders Seek Special Prosecutor for Special Geographic Area — Photo: x.com

The push for a local prosecutor is not merely an administrative convenience; it is a strategic effort to stabilize a region transitioning from conflict to civilian governance. Without a dedicated prosecutor, the SGA faces hurdles in case handling and the consistent application of the law. Bayam emphasized that having a prosecutor on the ground would help streamline legal processes and strengthen the government’s ability to protect its communities.

Beyond the immediate need for courtroom presence, the dialogue addressed the long-term stability of former fighters. The BARMM leadership is calling on the national government to extend the Amnesty Program to qualified former combatants from both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Bayam said that providing more time for these individuals to process amnesty applications is essential for their successful transition into peaceful civilian life. This extension would allow them to gather and submit the necessary documentation required to finalize their legal status.

The success of the peace process in Mindanao often hinges on these granular, local-level legal protections. For former combatants, the ability to clear legal hurdles through amnesty is a prerequisite for participating in the formal economy and social structures of the region. A lack of accessible legal services can leave these individuals in a state of legal limbo, hindering the broader goal of regional stability.

The dialogue in Gen. Santos City included various local executives from Mindanao, aiming to create a unified front for strengthening the rule of law across the autonomous region. While the specific timeline for the appointment of a special prosecutor remains unconfirmed, Secretary Vida told BARMM officials that their requests are being seriously considered, according to the Philippine News Agency.

As the SGA moves toward becoming a fully constituted province, the presence of the DOJ and NBI in high-level discussions shows a commitment to integrating these eight towns into the formal legal framework of the Philippines.