Malaca±ang: On Monday, Malaca±ang dismissed concerns about potential unrest in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following a leadership change in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed fears of instability after the announcement that Maguindanao Del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua had replaced Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Ahod Ebrahim as the interim chief minister of the region.

Castro stated, "Sa kasalukuyan po, wala po tayong nakikitang anumang maaaring maging dahilan para magkagulo kung magkakaroon man ng transfer of power sa BARMM (Currently, we do not see anything that could cause trouble if there is a transfer of power to BARMM)." She emphasized that Chief Ahod Ebrahim, being a proponent of the peace process, is not expected to incite unrest.

Despite these assurances, Castro refrained from commenting on the reasons behind Ebrahim's replacement as BARMM chief minister. Ebrahim has been at the helm of the BARMM since its transition government was established in 2019.

This leadership change follows the national government's decision to postpone the BARMM's first parliamentary elections from May to October.