Abdullah Makapaar

Abdullah Goldiano Makapaar bin Sabbar (born 1960 or 1961), commonly known by his nom de guerre Commander Bravo, was a former Moro rebel in the Philippines who fought under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a commander. Makapaar is now a politician and member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Abdullah Makapaar was born in 1960 or 1961 in Delabayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. He is of Maranao heritage and is the youngest of six children of Sultan Makapaar and Habiba Goldiano. He grew up in the village of Delabayan in Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte.^[1]

Militant career

After the Barracuda–Ilaga clashes, Makapaar along one of his brothers joined the Moro conflict and became a member of the Moro National Liberation Front. In 1973, as part of his rebel training, he adopted the nom de guerre "Bravo", in reference to a radio drama called Diego Salvador since the name meant "victory" to him. He was also came to be known as "James Bond 007 the second", after the death of his brother who was known as Commander James Bond.^[1]

Political career

Abdullah Makapaar as a member of the MILF campaigned for a "yes" vote in the 2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite which proposed the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Part of the plebiscite also called for the inclusion of select towns in Lanao del Norte, which Makapaar advocated for. While voters approved the creation of BARMM in the plebiscite, the joining of the towns in Lanao del Norte was unable to secure votes from the rest of the province to be able to join BARMM.^[1]