COTABATO CITY— With various revolutionary groups’ representation in the new Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez, Jr. said that a ‘very bright outlook’ is seen for the Bangsamoro region.
“We are very happy that we were able to unite both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) factions during the composition of the new united BTA members of the BARMM,” Galvez said in a press briefing with Cotabato City Media on Friday, Aug.19.
Among the prominent members from the two groups include MILF chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, late MILF founding chairman Salamat Hashim’s son — Abdullah Hashim, and MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari’s children — Abdulkarim and Nurredha Misuari.
“Nakikita din namin na masaya ang MILF at MNLF, at ang ating ibang mga partners. We are so happy that they all agreed that they will be uniting as one Bangsamoro,” Galvez said.
MILF Chairman Ebrahim will continue to serve as BTA’s interim chief minister, with his appointment released by the Office of the President on Friday.
According to Galvez, members of the MNLF also expressed their full support to the chief minister.
“Sinabi nga ng mga MNLF brothers natin, Kagi Murad is not just the chief minister of the 41 (MILF side BTA members), he is the chief minister of the 80 BTA members, he is the chief minister of the whole Bangsamoro, he is the father of all Moros living in the Philippines,” he said.
“Mataas ang expectation natin sa new BTA […] We are looking (forward) na makita natin na ang MILF and MNLF will be working together hand in hand, ‘yung commitment para mapakita sa Bangsamoro that they are really united,” Galvez said.
The presidential adviser also shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself expressed his intent to attend the first inaugural meeting of the new BTA slated this September. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
