Department of National Defense (DND) Acting Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Isidro Purisima welcomed the appointment on April 5 of the new officials of the newly created provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the newly created province of Maguindanao del Norte, and former Maguindanao Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu as OIC of Maguindanao del Sur.
Marcos also named Fatima Ainee Sinsuat as acting vice governor of Maguindanao del Norte, and Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang as acting vice governor of Maguindanao del Sur.
Macacua took his oath before the President on Wednesday. Before his appointment as Maguindanao del Norte’s leader, Macacua served as senior minister of the Bangsamoro region. Macacua also acts as chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).
“With the appointment of an OIC in Maguindanao del Norte, the Marcos administration expressed assurance that the province has an able and competent leader while still under the chief executive’s administration and guidance,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.
“We believe that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s appointment of Macacua is a testament to his trust and confidence in the latter’s capacity to handle the reins of governance in Maguindanao del Norte, and most importantly, lead the people of the province at this crucial time,” the joint statement said.
“We have no doubt that Macacua, who has demonstrated utmost skill, competence, and leadership during his term as a former Member of Parliament and Senior Minister, will be able to effectively carry out his mandate as OIC and bring greater political stability and economic development to the province,” the statement added.
The DND and OPAPRU added that most importantly, they have faith that Macacua will be able to help move forward and sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.
“Given his experience as a civil servant and a senior Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member, he will be instrumental in promoting the culture of peace throughout the province,” the statement said.
The DND and OPAPRU urged everyone to respect President Marcos Jr.’s decision to appoint Macacua as the OIC of Maguindanao del Norte province and Mangudadatu as OlC of Maguindanao del Sur.
“The Chief Executive has no other purpose in mind other than to ensure that the people of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur will continue to reap the dividends of genuine peace and sustainable economic development,” the statement said.
The DND and OPAPRU added that this latest development is part of the President’s commitment not to waver in delivering his commitments to the Bangsamoro peace agreements. It is a decisive move to ensure stability and peace in the provinces of Maguindanao and the BARMM as a whole.
In May 2021, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law a bill seeking to divide Maguindanao, part of BARMM, into two provinces.
Republic Act No. 11550, signed by Duterte, divided the province of Maguindanao into two distinct and independent provinces known as Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
Maguindanao del Norte is composed of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay. Datu Odin Sinsuat is Maguindanao del Norte’s seat of government.
The municipalitites of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, and South Upi comprise Maguindanao del Sur. Its seat of government is Buluan.
