COTABATO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is facing widening cracks in its leadership after several base commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF-MILF) openly declared support for the decommissioning process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), in open defiance of a Central Committee directive.
On August 9, 2025, at least a dozen BIAF commanders signed a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the peace process and pledging “full support” for decommissioning as a cornerstone of sustainable peace. The statement described decommissioning not just as a surrender of arms but as a “profound transfer of responsibility” that reflects their readiness to embrace reconciliation, dialogue, and community-building.
The signatories include:
- Nayang Timan, 129th Base Command, Mayor of Malidegao Municipality
- H. Abdulbayan Abas, 108th Base Command, Mayor of Tugunan Municipality
- Badrudin Ebrahim, Inner Guard Base Command, former OIC Mayor of Pahamudin Municipality
- Castro “Kashmir” Mohamad, 104th Base Command, Director, Peace, Security and Reconciliation Office
- Jimmy Balitok, General Headquarters Base Command, Deputy Minister, MPOS
- Abdillah Paguiman, 109th Base Command
- Ustadz Abdulwahid Tundok, 118th Base Command
- Alkarim Militon, 110th Base Command
- Yasser Abdulkadir, 128th Base Command
- Abdulaziz “Bruce” Antao, 106th Base Command
- George Kasim, Field Base Command
- Muhiddin Usman, 105th Base Command
The commanders emphasized that the CAB and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had validated the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro struggle. They urged continued cooperation with the Philippine government, stressing that the peace process is the best avenue to achieve the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
However, their declaration has sparked further friction with the MILF Central Committee, which earlier ordered commanders not to participate in government-sponsored decommissioning activities.
The rift deepened after the Central Committee reportedly issued two more suspension orders against commanders who signed the statement: Castro “Kashmir” Mohamad of the 104th Base Command and Abdulaziz “Bruce” Antao of the 106th Base Command. These come on the heels of the first suspension order against Ustadz Abdulwahid Tundok of the 118th Base Command on September 1, 2025, for allegedly defying Memorandum Order No. 037.
Despite the reported suspensions, the MILF Central Committee has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of press time.
The suspensions of Commanders Tundok, Mohamad, and Antao, all influential figures within the MILF, underscore a deepening leadership crisis inside the organization. The Central Committee’s insistence on rigid discipline is increasingly at odds with field commanders who view engagement in the peace process as both legitimate and necessary.
This clash is more than an internal dispute—it carries far-reaching consequences. For the MILF, it threatens unity and weakens its credibility as both a revolutionary and political force. For BARMM governance, the rift risks disrupting transition institutions that rely on MILF cohesion to function smoothly. Most critically, for the Bangsamoro people, these divisions cast uncertainty over whether the MILF can remain a stable partner in securing lasting peace.
The implications for the upcoming first BARMM parliamentary elections are equally profound. With the MILF’s political arm, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), expected to consolidate power, internal fractures could dilute its influence. A divided MILF may fail to solidify its electoral dominance, opening opportunities for rival groups and parties to challenge its hold on leadership. Such a scenario could reshape the political landscape of BARMM, potentially altering the trajectory of governance and peace-building in the region.