DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee has indefinitely suspended Abdulraof “Sammy Al Mansur”/“Sammy Gambar” Macacua from his post as Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)-MILF, citing alleged violations of directives issued by the organization and what it described as a serious breach of command and organizational discipline.
The suspension was formalized through MILF Central Committee Resolution No. 1, Series of 2026, approved on June 3, 2026, during the Central Committee’s regular meeting in Davao City. The resolution was signed by MILF Central Committee Secretary Muhammad Ameen and attested by MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.
The resolution also directed all MILF structures, committees, field commands and affiliated bodies to recognize and implement the suspension and to refrain from acknowledging any act or representation made by Macacua in the name of the BIAF-MILF.
According to the resolution, the disciplinary action stemmed from reported violations of certain directives of the MILF Central Committee, particularly Memorandum Order No. 037. The document did not provide further details on the specific acts allegedly committed by Macacua or the other commanders, but characterized the reported violations as constituting a serious breach of command and organizational discipline.
The Central Committee’s action also covered nine other individuals identified in the accompanying order as commanders within the BIAF structure.
Those named alongside Macacua were:
- Abdulwahid Tundok – Commander, 118 Base Command
- Abu Nu’man – Commander, 120 Base Command
- Boby Amaikurot – Commander, 123 Base Command
- Acrim Macatoon – Commander, 124 Base Command
- Nor Hassan – Commander, 116 Base Command
- Abdulbayan Abas – Commander, 108 Base Command
- Abdulaziz Bross Antao – Commander, 106 Base Command
- Kashmir Castro Mohammad – Commander, 104 Base Command
- George Kasim – Field Guard
The resolution placed the disciplinary measure within the broader organizational principles of the MILF, emphasizing its reliance on the Qur’an, Sunnah and the principle of shura, or consultation, as foundations of its organizational structure and decision-making.
It also reaffirmed the MILF Central Committee’s position that there is only one MILF organization recognized as the legitimate signatory to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Government of the Philippines.
The document further reiterated the group’s stated commitment to the CAB, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and related agreements concerning the Bangsamoro peace process.
In invoking Qur’anic teachings on obedience to legitimate authority and unity, the Central Committee cited verses from Surah An-Nisa (4:59) and Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:103) as emphasizing obedience, unity and the avoidance of division within the ranks.
The resolution consequently ordered all MILF structures and field commands to implement the decision and not recognize Macacua’s actions or representations made on behalf of the BIAF-MILF.
The development places Macacua, who has simultaneously served as Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), under a significant organizational sanction from the MILF Central Committee. The document, however, specifically concerns his position within the BIAF-MILF and does not itself state that he has been removed from his position as BARMM Chief Minister.
Macacua’s political and administrative position as BARMM Chief Minister is governed by the Bangsamoro government’s legal and institutional framework, while the resolution addresses his status within the MILF and its armed wing.
The MILF Central Committee said copies of the resolution were furnished to concerned offices, commands and appropriate bodies for information and implementation.
The document was marked “Released” by the Office of the Chairman.
As of the issuance of the resolution cited in the document, no detailed explanation from Macacua was included regarding the allegations or the Central Committee’s decision. The specific circumstances surrounding the reported violations of Memorandum Order No. 037 were likewise not detailed in the released resolution.
The suspension underscores the continuing importance of organizational discipline and centralized authority within the MILF as the group navigates its political role in the Bangsamoro peace process and the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.