Maguindanao del Norte lawmaker defends BARMM chief minister amid MILF tensions

The current conflict between Abdulrauf Macacua and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front should not erase the years he spent working for peace, Maguindanao del Norte Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said.

“Macacua dedicated his entire life to the MILF for peace,” Mangudadatu said in an interview. He argued that Macacua’s present political dispute must be viewed alongside his long history of struggle, sacrifice and service to the Bangsamoro peace process.

Macacua served for years in the MILF and became chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the former rebel group’s military wing. He later joined the Bangsamoro government, serving as executive secretary and environment minister before becoming governor of Maguindanao del Norte. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in March 2025.

Tensions grew as the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro approached. Macacua chose to run as an independent candidate, saying he needed to remain neutral as chief minister and ensure fairness among the region’s sectors and political groups. His decision to remove Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal also became controversial after Commission on Audit findings concerning P2.2 billion in funds from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.

On Sept. 3, the MILF Central Committee removed Macacua as BIAF chief of staff, along with more than 40 other commanders and officers. The decision came only days before the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections, in which Macacua is seeking a seat in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Macacua has maintained that he remains committed to a peaceful process. After an ambush on his convoy on Aug. 15, he said he would not be shaken in carrying out his duties and emphasized the voice of the Bangsamoro community over force.

“

Macacua dedicated his entire life to the MILF for peace.