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COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMMAA) bagged a total of 15 medals — five golds, four silvers, and six bronzes — in the recently concluded 69th Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal, head of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), led the BARMMAA delegation of 497 athletes and more than 300 MBHTE officials, sports officials, and others.
At the forefront of the region’s gold medal haul were Kieffer J. Lamban of Maguindanao del Sur in Shot Put (Elementary Boys) and Kieffer Seth Ven of Cotabato City in Table Tennis Singles (Elementary Boys). They were coached by Norhasna A. Totodan and Jerimiah Manatad, respectively.
BARMM athletes also secured four silver medals. Abbigail H. Torres of Lamitan City took silver in Arnis Featherweight (Secondary Girls) under coach Edgardo Delica. Datu Anor Butuan of Cotabato City clinched silver in Pencak Silat – Tanding (Class B Category) with Leajasmin Maindan as coach. In Tennis Mixed Doubles (Secondary), the duo of Albretch O. Job and Dhea Angelica Cua of Cotabato City added to the tally under the guidance of coach Roberto M. Espina.
BARMM’s bronze medalists included Majed Yusop of Cotabato City in Arnis (Secondary Boys – Labanan Pin Weight Category), coached by Edirck Dawaton. Kieffer Lamban also secured a bronze in Discus Throw (Elementary Boys). In Tennis Doubles (Secondary Boys), Fahad Abobacar of Lanao del Sur II and Albretch Job of Cotabato City earned bronze, coached by Roberto M. Espina Jr.
In Taekwondo, Joeharry Olario Bones of Cotabato City bagged bronze in the Kyurogi (Secondary Boys) category, while Dhan Joseph Villamor Eligio of Maguindanao del Norte won bronze in Pomsae (Secondary Boys). Both athletes were mentored by Fhatimah Abdulwahab.
BARMMAA althletes also made its mark in the Para Games, collecting three golds, one silver, and one bronze. The Para Games is a dedicated category for athletes who are Orthopedically Handicapped (OH), have Intellectual Disabilities (ID), or are Visually Impaired (VI).
Reyniek A. Mobadon (OH) of Maguindanao del Sur dominated his events, winning three (3) gold medals in Boys Long Jump, High Jump, and Shot Put, under coach April Babes P. Paches.
Judy Love A. Marcos (VI) of Maguindanao del Norte earned a silver medal in the Running Long Jump (Girls) event, coached by Julie Ann R. Santos.
Rounding out the region’s success, John Rey M. Bonoan (OH) of Lamitan City took home a bronze in the 50-meter Butterfly, coached by Larry Paderanga.
This national multi-sport competition brought together athletes from 18 athletic associations under the Department of Education, highlighting the spirit of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and excellence.
Next year’s Palarong Pambansa will be held in Agusan del Sur.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)