MILF grapples with BARMM leadership as Macacua orders Iqbal’s resignation

MANILA, Philippines – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) issued a strongly worded statement urging Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim chief minister Abdulraof Macacua to keep decisions in line after he requested the resignation of education minister Mohagher Iqbal.

Macacua asked Iqbal for his resignation over the P2.2-billion procurement scandal that hounds the Iqbal-led Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education. The MILF said decisions on political directions, appointments, and removals must be consulted with the group.

“Brother Iqbal is not an ordinary Cabinet member of the BARMM,” the statement signed by MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim read.

“To remove him as an active member of the Cabinet will have dire effects on the participation of the MILF in the political track of the transition period.” (READ: Mohagher Iqbal, the peacemaker)

The MILF leads the transition period of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, after it brokered a peace deal with the Philippine government in 2014. Iqbal was MILF’s longest-serving peace negotiator and continues to lead the MILF peace implementing panel.

MILF’s central committee is advising Macacua to put his decision “on hold” until a dialogue has been held.

Macacua gave Iqbal until Monday, May 18, to resign. If no resignation is put forward before office hours close, Iqbal will be deemed resigned.

Declining Macacua’s request

Iqbal responded in a letter on May 16, declining the request to resign.

“Compelling a resignation at this juncture would deprive me of the full and fair opportunity to respond to these matters and clear my name,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal said facing the investigation squarely would help him clear his name, as the subject of “sustained public attacks.” He appealed on familiarity and their shared struggle in MILF.

He wrote to Macacua: “I have known you for years. We have stood together in harder moments than this. I have watched you grow into leadership with respect and, yes, with affection. It is from that same place of respect and shared history that I write this letter; not in defiance, but in appeal to the values we have both long upheld.”

Iqbal said he remains as the minister of education.

While the MILF invoked the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law for this level of control, the Office of the Chief Minister clarified the decision was a matter of protecting public trust.  

According to the chief minister’s legal counsel, removal of officials “is rooted in governance and public accountability rather than the personal contributions of any official to the peace process.”

Both Iqbal and Macacua occupy top positions in the MILF. Whereas Iqbal leads the peace negotiations and implementation, Macacua is head of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. As MILF leaders, they occupy positions in the transitional government in the Bangsamoro. The election on September 14 will see elected officials rather than appointed ones.

A crowd formed outside the BARMM government center in Cotabato City on Monday expressing support for Iqbal. They also called for the faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. – Rappler.com