The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was displeased with Ferdinand Marcos Jr for appointing Abdulraof Macacua as the new interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). Its Central Committee’s statement said there was no consultation when Marcos replaced the current interim chief Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, despite the group’s relayed intention for him to remain in power. By Marcos’ order, Murad was appointed as one of the 80 regional representatives, which the latter refused.

Ebrahim was appointed to the BTA in 2019 by then president Rodrigo Duterte. He is the current leader of the MILF and commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF armed wing.

In addition, Marcos appointed to the BTA only 35 out of the 41 names submitted by the MILF.

The MILF considers these steps as “meddling in the internal affairs” of the group, and directly erodes the “principle of autonomy” enunciated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). This law was created after the MILF entered into a final peace agreement with the then Benigno Aquino regime.

Marcos’ action of appointing 35 out of 41 MILF personnel to the BTA is against the law. The BOL states that the BTA should be primarily led by the MILF. The BTA has 80 positions, and Marcos replaced 70 of these on March 3. As a result, the MILF no longer holds the majority of the BTA.

“This move not only disregards the agreement underpinning the BOL but also weakens the credibility of the MILF’s leadership in the transition,” according to the editorial of Luwaran, the MILF official publication.

By bypassing and ignoring the MILF’s recommendations, the President has effectively stripped the MILF of its rightful role in leading the governance of BARMM, it said. This also undermines trust and sincerity in the peace process.

The Philippine government’s disregard for the provisions of the BOL is “dangerous,” according to the group. “If the MILF’s role is eroded, confidence in the peace process may weaken, potentially discouraging other armed groups from negotiating with the state.”

It is for the best interest of all that the leadership of the MILF is consulted and its decision be respected on matters of paramount importance to the Bangsamoro, it said.