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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider MILF chief defends MBHTE head

MILF chief defends MBHTE head

Published May 18, 2026 02:10 pm
MILF supporters stage a protest in front of Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on Monday, May 18, hours before the deadline for MBHTE chief Mohagher Iqbal to step down. (UBJP)
MILF supporters stage a protest in front of Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on Monday, May 18, hours before the deadline for MBHTE chief Mohagher Iqbal to step down. (UBJP)
DAVAO CITY – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has defended Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) chief Mohagher Iqbal against the decision of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua to axe him from his position.
In a letter dated May 17, 2026, Murad urged Macacua to put the removal of Iqbal on hold after the BARMM chief ordered him to step down amid the ongoing investigation on alleged misuse of funds.
Murad and Iqbal acknowledged that Macacua issued a letter dated May 11, 2026 directing Iqbal to “resign as Minister of Basic Higher and Technical Education or be deemed resigned by May 18, 2026.”
“Please be reminded that as Interim Chief Minister, this decision is not solely yours to make. All such decisions must be preceded by a mandatory consultation with the MILF as lead in Bangsamoro Transition Authority under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and pursuant to Article XVI, Section 2 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Murad said.
He added that Macacua, chief of the MILF armed wing Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), should consult the MILF on major decisions affecting the affairs of the BARMM, especially policy directions, appointments, transfer, and removal of key MILF officials that will directly impact on the implementation of the CAB and the overall infrastructure of the peace process.
Thousands of MILF supporters staged a protest in front of the BARMM government center in Cotabato City on Monday morning following Iqbal’s removal.
They chided Macacua for moving against Iqbal and expressed discontent over President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s alleged meddling in the internal affairs of the Bangsamoro government.
“Brother Iqbal is not an ordinary Cabinet member of the BARMM. He is the chairman of the MILF peace implementing panel. To remove him as an active member of the cabinet will have dire effects on the participation of the MILF in the political track of the transition period,” Murad said.
“As lead in the transition period, the MILF Central Committee wishes to discuss this matter with you in the spirit of genuine dialogue and shura.”
Macacua asked Iqbal to resign following a special audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the MBHTE that exposed over P2.2 billion in questionable procurement transactions.
Iqbal refused to step down as MBHTE chief, saying that an audit is still ongoing and there is no criminal preliminary investigation.
He added that COA released preliminary audit findings under routine examination of documents which MBHTE is required to comment and explain.
Iqbal assured that his office is cooperating with the Commission on Audit in the ongoing investigation.
“I respectfully decline to resign at this time, and I wish to place on record that I do not consent to any interpretation of my silence or of any future action as constituting a constructive or deemed resignation,” Iqbal said in a response letter to Macacua on May 16.
Resignation in the middle of the audit, the MBHTE chief added, can be construed as an admission of guilt or an abandonment of duty.
He urged Macacua that the audit process must be allowed to conclude, adding that his continued service as MBHTE chief is a reflection of commitment to accountability.
“I will respond to any charges. And I will not go quietly into the night because I have the moral obligation to clear my name. As public servants and brothers in the struggle, the only lasting legacy that we could leave for our children and descendants is a good name.”

Related Tags

Mohagher Iqbal BARMM MILF Al Haj Murad Ebrahim Abdulrauf Macacua
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