STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT AS A RESULT OF THE CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY
March 16, 2025, Camp Darapanan
Today, in this blessed month of Ramadhan and a few days before the commemoration of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) convened a Consultative Assembly attended by MILF key officials, political and military leaders, religious sectors, and other Bangsamoro stakeholders. The gathering served as a vital platform to voice their concerns, share their insights, and address with clarity and truthfulness the MILF’s position on, among others, the recent changes in the leadership and membership of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and its dire impact on the implementation of the CAB.
Guided by the Consultative Assembly’s inputs and recommendations, the MILF Central Committee learned the agony, growing frustrations and concerns of the attendees over the recent Presidential appointments in the BTA, which failed to adhere strictly to the officially endorsed list of 41 nominees submitted by the MILF. As it stands now, only 35 out of the 41 names formally endorsed by the MILF were appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Clearly, this nonconformity with the list of nominees is an act which can be categorized as meddling into the internal affairs of MILF and directly erodes the principle of autonomy enunciated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
This deviation undermines Section 2, Article XVI of the BOL, which provides that “The Moro Islamic Liberation Front shall lead the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, without prejudice to the participation of the Moro National Liberation Front in its membership.” It is likewise a violation of the CAB, particularly on the Annex on Transitional Arrangements II.B.2., which provides that the BTA shall be MILF-led. With only 35 MILF nominees appointed, the MILF’s leadership in the BTA hangs in the balance, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the transition period and the commitment of the parties to the peace agreement.
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 does not help that the National Government unilaterally decided to appoint a new interim Chief Minister (ICM) despite the repeated sentiments of the MILF Central Committee, issued through various resolutions, to retain the then sitting ICM.
While the attendees recognized the President’s discretion in appointing the ICM, the stakeholders hold the view that such decision should have taken into careful consideration the position of the MILF. The implementation of the peace agreement lies in the symbiotic partnership between the MILF and the National Government relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and strict adherence, to both the spirit and the letters of the signed agreements.
Having learned the legitimate sentiments and valid observations expressed by the attendees and various stakeholders in the said Consultative Assembly, the MILF Central Committee emphasized that it is important for the Bangsamoro people to remain united. Further, everyone was reminded to reject any attempt to sow division and pit a brother against another. Now more than ever, we must work together to protect the integrity of the peace process and the future of the Bangsamoro.
The MILF Central Committee also appreciated the gesture of the attendees in pledging their loyalty to the leadership of Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as Chairman of the MILF, Commander-in-Chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), and Amirul Mujahideen, and their expression of unwavering support to the organization of the MILF.
Muhammad Ameen
MILF Secretary
