BARMM Maguindanao Del Norte Governor Macacua initiates Ramadhan Iftar, educates constituents on the peace process and Bangsamoro governance

COTABATO CITY (April 6, 2024) – Governor Abdulraof “Gob Sam” A. Macacua of Maguindnao Del Norte better known as “Sammy Gambar” initiated a Grand Iftar and Observation of Lailatul Qad’r program with the theme: “Grand Iftar for Better Understanding of Peace Process and the Bangsamoro Governance during the 25th day of the Holy Month of Ramadhan held at Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao Del Norte.

The event was attended by the Hon. Ahod “Alhaj Murad” Balawag Ebrahim, the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a Keynote Speaker.

Chief Minister Ebrahim, said, “Malayo na ang ating narating pero malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin,” pointing out that gains of the Bangsamoro peace process has achieved enormous development in the Bangsamoro region but it has to work hard to abide with provisions of CAB by implementing all the agreements signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that will cease to effect after the signing of the exit agreement.

The same as he discussed during the Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Camp Darapanan, he expressed that peace process implementation has two faces, it is the political track and the normalization track. However, although the political track is being implemented properly the peace process will not be successful in implementation if the components of the normalization track are left behind.

Hon. Mohagher M. Iqbal, Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel, and also the Minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) in BARMM echoed similar belief in his message during the same event.

Minister Iqbal, stated that “there is no such a successful implementation of peace process in a half-baked implementation.”

Although, the Minister, presented the accomplishments, milestones, and success stories of the peace process implementation still he emphasized that the Government of the Philippines (GPH) as their counterpart in the peace negotiations should be reminded of their obligations and responsibilities in the implementation of the peace process, the same as the leadership of the MILF sincerely delivered what has been stipulated in the peace agreement.

He also emphasized, that there will be no signing of the exit agreement unless otherwise, what was written in the CAB, is fully implemented.

This is about the normalization track that has been left behind in the implementation process due to the very slow response of the national government to do its part in the implementation of the major components of normalization.

Carlito G. Galvez of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPP-PRU) also graced the Ramadhan Iftar.

Galvez was enthusiastic that the implementation will be pursued and they will abide what was agreed in the CAB. He even gave some good news that they are initiating funds for agricultural support to be able to implement what are the things needed to implement.

Also present in the occasion are ministers from the BARMM, some Members of the Parliament of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), UBJP, Commanders of MILF, Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Women and Youth Sectors, Media and others participants. (Faydiyah Samanodi Akmad, BMN/BangsamoroToday)