IN a show of unity, five governors from five provinces from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao gathered here on Tuesday to join forces to form a platform and call for inclusive governance and development; and the rule of law in their region.
The four—Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Gov. Mariam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Gov. Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, and Gov. Abdusakur Mahail Tan of Sulu—also sign a manifesto calling themselves as the “Barmm Governors Caucus (BGC).
The fifth governor, Gov. Jim Hataman Salliman of Basilan, was absent but was represented by Maluso town Mayor Hanie Bud, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Basilan chapter.
Noticeably absent from the gathering was Gov. Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte who was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on April 2023.
Macacua also known as ‘Sammy Gambar’ was the chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) who entered into a peace deal with the government forming the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao replacing the old political system.
The absence of Macacua triggered speculation that the governors are forming an alliance to go against the MILF-controlled Barmm parliament in the coming 2025 elections.
Adiong quickly doused the speculations telling reporters that their gathering was not to form an alliance against the MILF but to address their growing concerns on development and peace and order situation in the region.
He said the governors also came here to Cagayan de Oro to personally visit him when they were not able to visit him in the hospital after he was wounded in an ambush on February 17.
“Masyadong premature pa para pag-usapan ang election. Ang caucus na ito ay para sa constituents ng Barmm,” Adiong told reporters in a press conference.
Mangudadatu said the idea of a caucus among Barmm governors was formed before Marcos appointed Macacua as governor of Maguindanao del Norte.
Tan also clarified that the caucus does not have political motives but was formed to enhance the coordination of the national and regional governments to address development and foster the peace mechanism.
“The purpose of this caucus is not to discuss the election. First, we are not sure because the election is always postponed. We are not sure if there will be an election. It might be premature to talk about the election. This is cooperation; we have no bad intentions; this is not to destroy but to fix and speed up what we have to do,” he said.
In the manifesto they signed, the governors said security challenges in the Barmm are not addressed because of unclear and overlapping mandates of law-enforcement agencies.
Adiong cited the February 17 ambush that left him injured and killed four of his security detail in Maguing, Lanao del Sur as an example.
“If a governor like me can be ambushed what more of the ordinary people,” he said.
The governors also called for inclusive governance and development in Barmm to address the marginalization of its resident, one of the problems that trigger violent extremism.
They also called on the Barmm government to convene a council of leaders and broad representation from local government units and sectoral groups.
Rep. Zia Adiong (1st district, Lanao del Sur) said if the governors wanted themselves elected as chief minister, they have to be elected first in the Barmm parliament.
Adiong, who was a former member of the Barmm transitional assembly said the 80-member parliament is composed of 41 who are from the MILF and the rest from the sectoral organizations.
He said the joining of forces by the governors should be a “wake-up call” for the MILF which is now running the Barmm government.
“This could develop into something else. We are open to any development that this caucus to arise to,” Adiong said.
Adiong said this caucus could develop into a political party that can challenge the MILF for leadership in the 2025 Barmm elections.
“(Local government units) are always key players in any elections,” he told reporters.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
