Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento commended the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government for promptly extending humanitarian assistance to areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday, June 8, particularly in the SOCCSKSARGEN and Davao regions.
Sarmiento lauded the deployment of BARMM’s Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) team and personnel from Bangsamoro READi by the Office of Civil Defense–BARMM to support the national government’s ongoing emergency response and relief operations in the disaster-stricken areas.
According to him, the Bangsamoro government’s swift response demonstrates its growing capacity to contribute to national humanitarian efforts and reflects the values of compassion and solidarity that have been fostered through the peace process.
Sarmiento bared that during a recent conversation with BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, the latter said that based on his team’s initial assessment, Sarangani Province and General Santos City were among the hardest-hit areas.
Macacua assured Sarmiento that “the BARMM’s contingent is now ready to deliver assistance to the victims” and that the Bangsamoro government “has already established an Incident Command Post in General Santos City.”
Beyond borders
“This is not the first time that the BARMM has extended a helping hand to communities outside its territorial boundaries. We have seen the Bangsamoro government mobilize assistance for fellow Filipinos affected by disasters in other parts of the country, including communities in Albay during the eruption of Mayon Volcano as well as those hit by typhoons,” Sarmiento said.
“This continuing tradition of service demonstrates that the Bangsamoro’s commitment to helping others knows no boundaries,” he stressed.
The peace adviser noted that the significance of BARMM’s assistance goes beyond disaster response, which is a testament of interfaith solidarity.
“More importantly, this assistance symbolizes the strong bond between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao. During these challenging times, we are reminded that our shared humanity is far greater than our differences,” Sarmiento said.
“The Bangsamoro government’s response to the needs of disaster-affected communities sends a powerful message that unity, mutual respect, and cooperation remain the foundation of lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” he added.
Sarmiento said the BARMM’s willingness to lend a helping hand reflects the major gains of the Bangsamoro peace process and serves as a concrete example of Positive Peace, where institutions and communities actively work together to foster resilience, trust and social cohesion.
OPAPRU activates disaster response measures
Meanwhile, Sarmiento reported that OPAPRU’s Local Conflict Transformation–Field Implementation Support Office (LCT-FISO) Mindanao has activated its disaster response mechanisms and begun conducting a rapid assessment of areas affected by the earthquake, particularly in communities where former rebels (FRs), their families, and their organizations reside.
Immediately following the earthquake, LCT-FISO activated its rapid communication tree through SMS and online messaging platforms to account for all personnel deployed across Regions XI and XII. As a precautionary measure, all scheduled site visits in areas affected by Intensity 5 to 7 tremors were temporarily suspended pending clearance from local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
“Our field personnel are currently gathering information on the extent of the earthquake’s impact on former rebels, their families, and communities. We want to ensure that their immediate needs are properly documented and brought to the attention of the agencies mandated to provide assistance,” Sarmiento said.
Ensuring support for former rebels and communities
According OPAPRU Executive Director Elisa Evangelista, Area Management Units under LCT-FISO have been coordinating closely with local disaster risk reduction and management offices and local government units to verify the status of former rebels who remain unreachable due to damaged communication lines, particularly those residing in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas that are vulnerable to landslides and other hazards.
At the same time, the OPAPRU has been coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), LGUs, and other concerned agencies to ensure that former rebels and their families are included in the distribution of emergency relief assistance and the provision of psychosocial support services.
“These efforts are intended to ensure that no former rebel or conflict-affected family feels marginalized during this crisis. Our goal is to help connect them to government agencies so that they can access much-needed assistance,” Evangelista said.
“LCT-FISO is likewise conducting a sector-specific Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis covering former rebel-led People’s Organizations (POs) and their communities. Area Management Units are documenting damages sustained by homes, community facilities, and livelihood projects established under government peace and development programs,” she added.
Communication lines, Evangelista said, have also been established with leaders of FR-led People’s Organizations and other community partners to consolidate real-time information on casualties, displaced families, and urgent humanitarian needs, including temporary shelter, potable water, and other basic necessities.
Facilitating timely assistance
Sarmiento explained that the OPAPRU is now serving as a liaison between affected communities and national, regional and provincial disaster response mechanisms to facilitate the timely delivery of assistance.
“Our role is primarily facilitative.. What we seek to do is ensure that the concerns of FRs, their families, and their organizations are immediately communicated to the appropriate government offices so that assistance can be delivered as quickly as possible,” he said.
He emphasized that supporting former rebels and conflict-affected communities during times of crisis forms part of the government’s broader commitment to sustaining the gains of peace and ensuring that no vulnerable sector is left behind.
“When disasters strike, those who have already endured years of conflict and displacement often face greater challenges. By helping connect them to essential government services and assistance, we strengthen their resilience and reinforce their confidence in the peace process and in government institutions,” Sarmiento said.
He added that OPAPRU will submit a subsequent report detailing the results of its Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis, including the earthquake’s impact on former rebels, their families, communities, and former rebel-led People’s Organizations.
Sarmiento likewise expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and assured affected communities that the national government remains committed to supporting relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts.
“As one nation, we stand with all those affected by this tragedy. Together, through compassion, solidarity, and cooperation, we will help our communities recover and emerge stronger from this crisis,” he said.###
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