An estimated 400,000 Bangsamoro residents gathered at the Bangsamoro Government Center along Gov. Gutierrez Avenue on Thursday to demand the resignation of Special Assistant to the President Antonio “Anton” Lagdameo Jr. and an end to what they described as outside interference in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The demonstration was led by Recover BARMM Now, a coalition of Bangsamoro stakeholders that includes peace advocates, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, youth and women's groups, professionals, and former Moro combatants. The rally was supported by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

Participants accused Lagdameo of interfering in BARMM affairs, particularly in the March 2025 replacement of MILF chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim as interim chief minister by Abdulraof Macacua. The MILF has maintained that the change was made without consultation with its central committee.

Recover BARMM Now spokesperson and rally convenor Sheik Abdulhadie alleged that Lagdameo had been providing “ill-advice” to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Bangsamoro issues, which he said contributed to political instability and a reduction in the number of seats allotted to the MILF in the regional parliament.

Under Republic Act 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which serves as the interim parliament, must include 41 nominees from the MILF, with the remaining members appointed by the national government.

The coalition also called for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, an end to alleged interference in the conduct of the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, and the removal of individuals it accused of sowing division within the region.

“Peace is not sustained by promises alone. It is sustained by honoring commitments,” Abdulhadie said.

Organizers described the gathering as a show of unity among Bangsamoro communities and said further peaceful actions could follow if their concerns remain unaddressed.

As of Thursday, Lagdameo had not publicly responded to the calls for his resignation. Similar allegations of interference in BARMM politics had previously been raised by Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Ali Mangudadatu.

The coalition vowed to continue pressing its demands, saying it would not allow any individual or group to undermine Bangsamoro unity and self-governance.