NEWS




11May
Photo courtesy of Abqary Alon

MILF, UBJP Hold Grand Miting de Avance/General Assembly at Camp Darapanan

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held a Grand Miting de Avance and General Assembly on May 7, 2025, at Camp Darapanan.
The event was attended by key leaders and thousands of members and supporters from across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other Bangsamoro communities outside the Bangsamoro region.

This marked the first joint public appearance of MILF Chairman and UBJP President Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal.

During the assembly, Chairman Ebrahim called on all MILF members to actively participate in the upcoming elections and to vote for UBJP candidates in accordance with election laws and regulations. He reiterated the importance of adhering to a rules-based approach to democratic participation.

ICM Macacua addressed concerns about possible electoral interference. He warned the national government, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) against any actions that could cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process. He emphasized that any form of manipulation would be viewed as a threat to the MILF’s transition to political engagement.

Iqbal, in his remarks, asked the assembly to affirm the direction of the organization. He presented four symbolic choices: the left path (violent extremism), the right (submission to Manila), backward (local spoilers), or forward (political participation). Attendees responded in unison, choosing “forward.”

The UBJP was established in 2014 as the political party of the MILF, as part of the peace process with the Philippine government. The May 2025 parliamentary elections are expected to be a critical step in solidifying the organization’s shift from revolutionary movement to formal political participation.