Ghazali Jaafar

Hajji Salik B. Abu[1] more commonly known as Ghazali Jaafar (6 May 1944 – 13 March 2019) was a Filipino militant and government official. He fought under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He served as chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and the Speaker of the Parliament designate under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[2]

Ghazali Jaafar
Jaafar in November 2017
Member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
In office February 22, 2019 – March 13, 2019
Nominated by	Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Appointed by	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	position and office created
Succeeded by	Mudjib Abu
Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission
In office February 10, 2017 – February 22, 2019
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Mohagher Iqbal
Succeeded by	position and office abolished
Personal details
Born	May 6, 1944 Cotabato City, Philippines
Died	March 13, 2019 (aged 74) Davao City, Philippines
Alma mater	Notre Dame College

Early life

Jaafar was born on May 6, 1944.[1] While in high school, Jaafar established a youth group that encouraged activism among students and out-of-school youth in Cotabato City. He pursued a course in political science at Notre Dame College with an intention to become a lawyer,[3] but stopped studies to join the Moro armed struggle against the government.[4]

Career

Militant

Jaafar was a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that initially campaigned for an independent state in Mindanao, but later pursued autonomy for Bangsamoro region. He was the group's Vice Chair.[3]

Jaafar led MILF's dialogue with the national government, serving as the first chairman of the group's negotiating panel from 1996 to 1997.[5] He signed the general cessation of hostilities in Cagayan de Oro on July 18, 1997.[4] The MILF signed a peace agreement with the national government in 2014 under the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino III.[2]

Bangsamoro transition

Under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Jaafar led the BTC, a body tasked to aid in the creation of a draft of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.[6][7]

He was named into the BTA and made his last public appearance in February 2019 when he and other members of the transition body were sworn in. He was later designated to serve as the Speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament.[8]

Illness and death

Months prior to his death on March 13, 2019, Jaafar was experiencing an internal illness.[8] In 2018, he was rushed a hospital in Metro Manila due to a heart problem.[3] His last three days[9] were at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center in Davao City.[10] He died due to kidney failure.[3]

References

1. "Ghadzali Jaafar: The Father of the BOL" (PDF). The Parliament. Bangsamoro Parliament (1): 15. June 2020.
2. "MILF vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar dies at 75". ABS-CBN News. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
3. Rita, Joviland (13 March 2019). "Ghazali Jaafar, guerilla fighter turned peace champion". GMA News. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
4. Arguilas, Carolyn (13 March 2019). "MILF's Ghazali Jaafar passes away; his last public appeal to fellow leaders: "be the unifying forces for our people"". MindaNews. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
5. "Senators grieve over death of MILF vice chair Jaafar". PTV News. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
6. Aning, Jerome. "21 Bangsamoro Transition Commission members named". Retrieved 2018-10-07.
7. Corrales, Nestor. "Duterte names new Bangsamoro Transition Council members". Retrieved 2018-10-07.
8. "Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Ghazali Jaafar dies at 75". CNN Philippines. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
9. Genotiva, Mara (13 March 2019). "MILF's Jaafar dies". Davao Today. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
10. Magsino, Dona (13 March 2019). "AFP, PNP remember MILF vice chair Jaafar as worthy adversary, dependable partner in peace". GMA News. Retrieved 13 March 2019.