COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Two governors in Region 12 and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have expressed support for Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua as he continues to lead the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under an extended presidential appointment.

Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said on Monday, November 10, that they will back Macacua’s programs for community empowerment and peacebuilding amid the postponement of the first BARMM parliamentary elections originally set for October 13, 2024.

The elections were deferred due to legal impediments, prompting Macacua — a senior leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and chief of its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) — to continue serving as chief minister until the Commission on Elections finalizes a new schedule.

Macacua assumed the post in March 2025, following the appointment of his predecessor Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim to another government role. His appointment was made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has maintained close engagement with both the MILF and MNLF in advancing the peace process in Mindanao.

MNLF backs Macacua’s extended leadership

BARMM Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, who also chairs the MNLF, said their organization supports Macacua’s continued leadership.

“Chief Minister Macacua has our solid vote of confidence,” Sema said. “We will support his leadership under an appointive authority until the Commission on Elections sets the final schedule of the first parliamentary polls.”

Both the MILF and MNLF share seats in the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament and jointly manage several BARMM ministries and agencies — a symbol of unity that peace stakeholders describe as one of the key achievements of the post-conflict transition.

Governors: Support beyond regional boundaries

Governor Taliño-Mendoza, who also chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC) 12, said cooperation with the BARMM remains vital despite administrative boundaries.

Her province of Cotabato hosts 63 predominantly Moro barangays that have joined BARMM as part of its Special Geographic Area (SGA) — a cluster of eight new towns created by the Bangsamoro Parliament in 2024.

“These barangays are no longer under my jurisdiction,” she said.

“But we will continue to coordinate with the Bangsamoro government because their communities remain geographically and culturally tied to our province.”

In nearby South Cotabato, Governor Tamayo — who also chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 12 — echoed similar support.

“Different Bangsamoro ministries are extending services to Moro residents of South Cotabato, which is outside the BARMM,” Tamayo said. “We will reciprocate by supporting the peace and security initiatives of the Bangsamoro government, complementing President Marcos’ peace efforts with both the MILF and MNLF.”

As BARMM transitions through another extended interim phase, observers say the continued cooperation between regional and provincial leaders — both Moro and non-Moro — will be crucial in sustaining peace and inclusive development in Central Mindanao.

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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