Field commanders and top leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have officially concurred into the current change of administration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The information bureau of BARMM disclosed a one-on-one meeting between outgoing Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and MILF Chief of Staff Abdulraof Macacua, as the newly appointed ICM, and appointed governor of Maguindanao del Norte.
Executive Director Andrew Alonto of the Bangsamoro Information Office said the meeting last week between the two officials was ostensibly the latest of recent meetings prior to the impending change-of-guards in the MILF administration of BARMM.
One of the points discussed in the meeting that Alonto was apparently privy of was the target date of the official turnover which was tentatively set on March 27, he said.
“That the MILF retains control of its public administration of BARMM – only their leaders are changing guards – (is) the best way to look at the situation now, because both the outgoing ICM and the newly appointed ICM are MILF leaders on their own individual capacity in that organization,” said lawyer Michael Mastura, who earlier explained the legal and constitutional aspects of the current regional development.
MILF field commanders, notably, including Lanao’s Commander Bravo, also issued separate statements lauding Macacua’s appointment while also reaffirming the leadership of Ebrahim as chairman of the MILF as their military leader.
Bravo whose real name is Abdullah Macapaar also told reporters: “Hindi na po kami mag-re-react dahil kasi po sila po ang mga lider namin. Sila na po bahala mag-usap-usap at ang ating gobyerno ng ating Republika ng Pilipinas.”
Another MILF base commander, Abdulaziz Antao said there was no real division in the MILF field-ranks, contrary to reports on social media:
“No factionalism,” Antao said.