COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 30 April) - Along the banks of the Tamontaka River near the majestic Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque or the Grand Mosque of Cotabato on March 25, Day 1 of the 45-day campaign period for local candidates, Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim, chair of the erstwhile rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), told the huge crowd: "Ang affair natin ngayon ay isa sa pinakahistoric dito sa atin sa Bangsamoro kasi unang eleksyon sa ating bansa na nagparticipate ang MILF." (Our affair today is one of the most historic events in the Bangsamoro because this is the first election in the country where the MILF is fielding candidates). 

The Moro leader and his convoy of luxury vehicles had to carefully maneuver amid a throng of people and vehicles, many lining very early in the morning along the Tamontaka-Bubong road to become part of Bangsamoro history. Ushered to the stage under heavy security, Ebrahim calmly stood and cleared his throat, introducing himself as wearing the hat of the president of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the MILF's political party.