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COTABATO CITY, February 12, 2026 (SDN) — In the municipality where the late Ustadhz Salamat Hashim, founder of the Moro Islamic Liberationt Front (MILF) was buried — Butig, Lanao del Sur — then unknown to the general public, the MILF Ranaw conducted a general assembly to express the constancy of their unity and fidelity to the cause of the Bangsamoro.
MILF Peace Implementing Panel (PIP) Chairman Mohagher M. Iqbal, with only a few hours of sleep, traveled from Cotabato City to Butig to join and speak at the assembly.
As the groups’ members, supporters, and sympathizers listen under a clear blue sky, the clouds shielding the attendees from the heat of the sun, Iqbal explained the difference between “namumuno” (commanding) and “namamahala” (governing).
Also the chief negotiator of the MILF, which transformed formally into a social movement on September 23, 2024, says:
“Namumuno at namamahala, magkaiba ‘yan. Maaaring ikaw ang namumuno pero Hindi Ikaw ang namamahala — pero kung ikaw Ang namamahala pwede pa rin nating sabihing ikaw ang pa rin ang namumuno.”
Translation: Commanding and governing, they are different. You maybe commanding but you are not the one governing — but if you are the one governing it’s possible you are also the one commanding.
Iqbal, MILF First Vice Chairman, an educator, intellectual, writer and author of books about the Bangsamoro peace Process, made the differentiation in the wake of the debates among the Bangsamoro whether the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is “MILF-led or not”.
As this developed, the MILF Ranaw issued a Manifesto at the assembly assuring their strong unity, legal rights, and vow for peace.
The Manifesto also contained MILF Ranaw’s important role as part of the organization founded by Hashim in 1977 after breaking up from the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) as a call out of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement.
Their participation includes their contribution to the Bangsamoro struggle anchored on their leadership, devotion, and loyal vow for peace and their self-made decisions that also cover the sacrifice of lives of the martyrs from their ranks.
That the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is vital as a legal accord leading to justice and lasting peace based on reform of institutions and steps towards normalization.
“A full and honest implementation of the CAB is a key to maintaining trust and respect for the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro,” the MILF Ranaw points out.
Their Manifesto also took time to explain the role of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), or Republic Act No. 11054, in the establishment of the BARMM and the parliamentary system that’s anchored on democratic accountability, fiscal autonomy, and inclusive representation.
Further more, they voiced support for the CAB’s Normalization Track which is focused in the people’s security, strengthening civilian authority, and peace and order in the community through decommissioning and re-integration of former combatants to mainstream society.
MILF Ranaw’s vow for the Bangsamoro peace process
• Tapat at maagap na pagpapatupad ng lahat ng obligasyon sa ilalim ng Political at Normalization Tracks ng CAB.
• Suporta sa pagpapatuloy ng decommissioning at pagtupad ng mga obligasyon ng gobyerno, kabilang ang reintegration, socio-economic packages, at community development.
• Pagpapatuloy ng normalisasyon, kabilang ang transformation ng mga kampo, livelihood at skills training, infrastructure development, at security sector reform na naaayon sa karapatang pantao at civilian supremacy.
• Proteksyon sa sectoral representation, karapatan ng mga minorya, partisipasyon ng kababaihan, kabataan, at Indigenous Peoples sa autonomous governance.
Observers have expressed hopes and prayers the Bangsamoro peace process overcome all problems and challenges now and in the future. (©)
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Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (MBN)