MILF criticizes Marcos Jr.'s appointment of Macacua as interim chief minister

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) central committee expressed concern over recent leadership changes in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The group criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s appointment of Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua as interim chief minister, replacing Ahod Balawad Ebrahim.

MILF officials gathered at Camp Darapanan for a consultative assembly where they reaffirmed their loyalty to MILF chairman and BIAF commander-in-chief, Ebrahim.

The committee accused the national government of interfering in MILF internal affairs by not fully adhering to its list of nominees and violating autonomy guaranteed under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

MILF stressed that only 35 out of their 41 officially endorsed nominees were appointed, undermining both the BOL and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which mandate MILF leadership.

Despite the criticism, MILF called for unity among members and reaffirmed its commitment to the peace process while rejecting efforts to sow division.