MANILA, Philippines — The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation recently recognized the inclusion of all stakeholders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) into its governing body.
Made up of appointees by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is the interim administrator of the autonomous region until elections are held to vote for the regular BARMM officials.
The President earlier enacted a law moving the BARMM parliamentary polls to October 13, 2025.
“The BTA now has representatives from MILF, both factions of MNLF, and also from other sectors of the Bangsamoro region, including non-Moro indigenous peoples, women, Bangsamoro communities outside of BARMM, youth, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and settlers, among others,” part of read Resolution No. 2 passed by the CoFM-OIC in its 51st Session held in Turkey last June 21-22.
Resolution No. 2 of the CoFM-OIC also welcomed the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as BARMM’s interim chief minister, while acknowledging Al Haj Murad Ebrahim’s role as the former head of the Bangsamoro region and the BTA since February 2019.
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In the same resolution, the OIC commended the President for sustaining unity in the Bangsamoro region. The body OIC “welcomes his strong commitments to push for unity, inclusivity, socioeconomic development and interventions to promote peace and progress in BARMM.”
Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to fully uphold the letter and spirit of all its signed peace agreements with the MILF.
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“All agencies of the GPH and their security forces, are in compliance with President Marcos’ mandate against any unilateral actions that could subvert or compromise the hard-won benefits of peace,” Lagdameo said.
The CoFM-OIC resolution has encouraged the MILF and the Philippine government to sustain their constructive engagement towards the full implementation of the peace process.
