World · Philippines Bureau
MILF supporters rally behind unified leadership bid in Bangsamoro
Over 1,500 Moro Islamic Liberation Front backers gathered in Cotabato City to push for a consolidated governing coalition under the group's leader. The rally underscores efforts to unify Bangsamoro political forces ahead of key institutional arrangements.
LSN Philippines ·
COTABATO CITY — Approximately 1,500 supporters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front assembled at the city plaza Thursday to advocate for the establishment of a unified political coalition within the Bangsamoro administrative region.
The gathering focused on calls for elected Bangsamoro parties alongside district and sectoral representatives to consolidate their political power through what organizers termed a "rainbow coalition" structure. The proposed alliance would be led by Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim, the longtime leader of the MILF who transitioned from heading the armed revolutionary movement to playing a central role in post-conflict governance arrangements.
The rally reflects ongoing discussions about political consolidation in the autonomous region, which was formally established following the 2014 peace agreement between the MILF and the national government. Proponents of the coalition framework argue that unified leadership could enhance policy coordination and implementation effectiveness across Bangsamoro's governance institutions.
The demonstration underscores the continued political significance of the MILF as a major stakeholder in Bangsamoro affairs, even as the organization has shifted from armed struggle to institutional participation in the region's political structures.