Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua. Bangsamoro Transition Authority website

MANILA — Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua has been appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the new interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Macacua will replace Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Ahod Balawag “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim as Bangsamoro chief, BARMM Cabinet Secretary and Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun confirmed.

“We confirm that there’s a change in the leadership in the Bangsamoro Government. We confirm the appointment of the incoming Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua replacing outgoing Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim,” Pendatun said.

Pendatun said the BARMM Government received the official document on Macacua's appointment last Friday.

However, Pendatun mentioned that they have yet to receive the complete list of new members, replacements, or retained parliament members.

“So far, only the appointment of the interim chief minister. As to the composition, new names, or replacement as members of parliament, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na official document,” Pendatun said.

He added that one reason for this move was the upcoming first parliament election in BARMM, scheduled for October.

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“Yung development ho nito is also, naging dahilan din ho kasi na kailangan meron hong extreme focus doon sa preparation for the first parliamentary elections this October. So, Chairman Murad being the chairman of the MILF and president of the organization’s political party, kailangan hong magfocus doon at ito pong development na ito ay makakatulong towards that end,” he said.

Pendatun said consultations were held before Macacua's appointment order was issued.

“To be honest meron na pong mga discussions, meron na rin ho tayong naririnig na usapin prior to this, several occasions na rin, mayroon na rin namang consultations na ginawa in various levels within the leadership of the MILF… the Bangsamoro Authority is still MILF led with the change of leadership ang transition period ay MILF led pa rin naman ho,” Pendatun said.

He said that a reshuffle could be expected within the ministries, agencies, and offices of the BARMM government as Macacua takes on his new role.

Malacanang said it was confident that the Bangsamoro leadership change would not disrupt peace in the region.  

“Sa kasalukuyan po, wala po tayong nakikitang  anumang maaaring maging dahilan para magkagulo kung magkakaroon man ng transfer of power sa BARMM,” Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

“At ang katauhan po nitong si Chief Ahod Ebrahim, isa po siya sa proponent of peace process. So, hindi po natin nakikita sa katauhan po ni Chief Ebrahim na ganoon po ang mangyayari,” she said in a Palace briefing.

In a statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. welcomed the appointment of Macacua, which he hoped would further strengthen the leadership foundation established by Ebrahim.

“For the continuity and success of the Bangsamoro peace agreement, we place our trust in Interim Chief Minister Macacua as he takes the helm of governance, especially with the first parliamentary elections just seven months away,” Galvez said.

“We call on the Bangsamoro people to support the new leadership and continue the trek on the path of peace in the Bangsamoro region. Together, we must build upon the gains of the peace process.”

The official thanked Ebrahim for his “leadership and vision, particularly in fostering meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro people and advancing the peace process in the region.”

— With a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News