DAVAO CITY (September 3) — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday officially removed Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua as chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the group’s military arm, in a major shake-up of its leadership.
Sheik Abdulmanan Kitugi, a member of the MILF Central Committee, announced Macacua’s removal, along with that of more than 20 BIAF base commanders, deputy commanders, and middle-level officers, during the MILF general assembly at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Macacua, who is now the interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and the other officers had earlier been suspended indefinitely for insubordination and for conducting activities without written or verbal approval from the MILF Central Committee.
When Kitugi read Macacua’s name among those being removed from their military posts, the crowd erupted in a loud chant of “Allahu Akbar.”
The chant was repeated as the names of other suspended officers were announced. Organizers claimed that more than 127,000 people attended the gathering.
It remained unclear, however, whether the removal from their BIAF positions also meant that Macacua and the other officers had been expelled from the MILF itself.
Macacua had said last month that he was prepared to lose his position as BIAF chief.
“But it’s another story if I am removed as MILF member without due process,” he said.
The issue of Macacua’s MILF membership could be significant as the organization moves into the political and electoral phase of the Bangsamoro transition.
Iqbal urges peaceful election campaign.
During the same gathering, MILF Vice Chairman Mohagher Iqbal called on MILF members, United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) members, and their families to support UBJP candidates in the coming regional elections.
“Let us do everything we can to win the election, but we must do so peacefully. Let us not become criminals. We must not resort to violence, and we will not allow violence to take place,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal had previously assured reporters that the MILF, particularly its military arm, would not initiate violence before, during or after the regional elections.
“Definitely, the MILF will not start using violence; if there would be any, it will not come from the MILF, that is what I assure you,” he said during a UBJP event in the BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA).
The latest MILF action comes as the Bangsamoro region moves toward a crucial electoral period, with the group’s political leadership publicly calling for a peaceful campaign while asserting control over its military organization.-Editha Z Caduaya
, and the other officers had earlier been suspended indefinitely for insubordination and for conducting activities without written or verbal approval from the MILF Central Committee.){kind=link}