A SCHEDULED ceremonial turn-over of leadership in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was overshadowed by the absence of former Interim Chief Minister Ahod Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the region’s leadership transition.
Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan, a former commissioner and member of parliament, stated that Murad’s absence reflects the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) current stance on the leadership change.
Lidasan emphasized the importance of “maratabat,” or dignity, in Moro culture, suggesting that the process under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration lacked proper respect.
He stressed the need to carefully examine the impact of these changes on the Bangsamoro people.
The transition follows the March 12 oath-taking of newly appointed Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, administered by president Marcos.
This was followed by an oath-taking ceremony for new members of parliament in Manila, led by Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez.
Concurrently with Macacua’s assumption of office, MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal held a press conference, where he expressed concerns regarding Marcos’s appointment of Macacua, despite prior appeals.
Murad Ebrahim also declined Marcos’s offer to join the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), and was absent from the BTA officials second oath taking in Malacanang palace. Carlito Galvez and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo were present in that gathering.
Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales has previously stated that the region is experiencing instability due to the administration’s deviation from agreements between the government and the MILF-MNLF.
