Manila, Sept. 14 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to exercise "wisdom, dignity and respect for one another" as the region holds its first parliamentary elections, a major milestone in its continuing transition toward self-governance and lasting peace.

In a video message released on election day, Marcos urged every qualified voter to participate in the historic exercise and help protect the integrity of the ballot and the peace that made the democratic process possible.

"As you choose the representatives, you will constitute the first democratically elected Bangsamoro Parliament," Marcos said.

He described the election as a milestone in BARMM's...