The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has voiced strong opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as the new Interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The group argues that the decision disregards key provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Macacua’s appointment replaces Ahod Ebrahim, the MILF chairman, without the group’s formal endorsement, a move that has fueled controversy. The MILF also raised concerns that only 35 out of the 41 individuals they nominated were appointed to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
According to the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the MILF is designated to lead the BTA, with presidential appointments expected to come from the official list submitted by the group. The MILF asserts that bypassing their recommendations undermines their role in governing BARMM and could strain the peace process.
This development has heightened tensions in the region, with stakeholders closely monitoring how the situation will unfold and its potential impact on the ongoing transition in Bangsamoro governance.
