The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) endorsed for the first time its presidential bet on Saturday, Apr. 23, and backed the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in a "historic and very special" gathering in Maguindanao.
The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of MILF, declared its support for Robredo in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, where several local government officials, the Moros as well as members of various indigenous groups gathered.
In endorsing Robredo, MILF leader Al-Hadj Murad Ibrahim said the party wants to "assist in a new brand of principled politics" through her.
Ibrahim also said that Robredo and UBJP are "overwhelmingly compatible" in terms of the values, principles and goals of the Moros.
"This presidential candidate sees eye to eye with the UBJP and is considerably familiar with the history" of the Moros," he added.
In her speech, Robredo, who is celebrating her 57th birthday, expressed hope that if she becomes president, she will be the Moros' partner in "working for peace in Mindanao." To recall, the MILF used to hold insurgencies against the government in the past as it fought to have a completely autonomous region for the people of the region.
Robredo said a peace agreement "can only be implemented and complete if there is a good partnership between the national government" and the MILF.
"This partnership needs to be constantly cultivated and developed because the peace agreement cannot be implemented unilaterally."
The endorsement of Robredo, whose hands were raised by Ibrahim and Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael 'Toto' Mangudadatu, came a day after several Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao local government officials flew to Manila to sign an "oath of commitment" to support her rival, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.