Saudi Arabia congratulates new Bangsamoro chief minister, pledges support and cooperation

Saudi Arabia Pledges Support to Bangsamoro’s First-Elected Chief Minister, Reaffirming Bilateral Cooperation

Bangsamoro’s First-Elected Chief Minister Welcomes Saudi Support

MANILA: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Manila has extended his support and cooperation to the southern Philippine region of Bangsamoro, congratulating its first-ever elected chief minister.
Abdulraof Macacua was elected as the chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday during the region’s inaugural parliament session.
The meeting in Cotabato City follows historic polls held on September 14, when BARMM voters elected their regional representatives directly for the first time. The region remains the sole Muslim-majority area in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.
In a letter addressed to Macacua, Saudi Ambassador Faisal Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi congratulated the new chief minister, marking him as one of the first foreign envoys in the Philippines to do so.
“We are confident that your extensive experience, visionary leadership, and dedication will guide the region toward continued peace and prosperity,” Al-Ghamdi wrote, with the Bangsamoro government’s Facebook page sharing the message on Saturday.
“We assure you of our support and cooperation, as we look forward to deepening the strong bonds of friendship and mutual interest between our two nations.”
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, commonly known as BARMM, comprises five provinces in southwestern Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines.
With a population of approximately 4.5 million people, the term Bangsamoro derives from the Malay words “bangsa” (nation) and “Moro,” which refers to Muslims.
The region was the central theater of a long-term separatist struggle before a 2014 peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front enabled a transition to autonomy.
BARMM was established five years later as part of this autonomy process, culminating in Macacua’s formal election.
Macacua, also known as Sammy Gambar, was a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and a prominent figure of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party. A senior leader within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, he previously served as chief of staff for the group’s armed wing.
The 69-year-old was sworn into office on the same day he won the historic victory with 51 votes from the 80-member parliament. He had previously held an interim position after being appointed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March last year.
Marcos, who attended the inaugural parliamentary session, stated that his administration will “continue to expand economic opportunities” for Mindanao as “the Bangsamoro enters this new important chapter.”
He added: “Truly, this is a victory for our Bangsamoro brethren. It is a victory for Mindanao. It is a victory for the entire Filipino nation.”

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