COTABATO CITY โ Top military officials in Mindanao have thrown their support behind newly appointed Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua, assuring their commitment to his peace and development agenda for the regionโs diverse communities.
Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), announced their support during a visit to the 6th Infantry Division (6th ID) headquarters at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Tuesday, March 18.
โWe have released an official statement congratulating Chief Minister Macacua on his appointment and affirming our commitment to supporting his peace and development efforts across the Bangsamoro region,โ Nafarrete told reporters.
Controversy Within MILF
Macacua, formerly the acting governor of Maguindanao del Norte, was appointed chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier this month. He succeeds Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, the MILF central committee chairman who led BARMM since its establishment in 2019.
However, Macacuaโs appointment has stirred controversy within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with some of Ebrahimโs allies expressing discontent over the lack of prior consultation with MILF leaders across the five provinces and three cities of the autonomous region.
Military Remains Steadfast
Despite this, the military remains steadfast in its support for Macacuaโs leadership. The 6th ID, which oversees security operations in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Cotabato City, echoed WestMinComโs stance by issuing a similar statement of support.
โOur message is not just a congratulatory noteโit is a pledge to protect and sustain the gains of the national governmentโs peace process with the Moro communities,โ said 6th ID commander Major Gen. Donald Gumiran.
With the militaryโs backing, Macacua steps into his new role amid both political tensions and high expectations, as he navigates the complex landscape of governance in the Bangsamoro region.
