Marcos orders thorough probe into ambush vs BARMM chief minister Macacua

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into the ambush against Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and his convoy.

"Inutos ng Pangulo sa lahat ng kinauukulang ahensya ng gobyerno na mas lalong paigtingin ang seguridad sa komunidad ng Bangsamoro at ang malalim na pag-iimbestiga para malaman at mapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng pag-atake na ito," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

(The President ordered concerned government agencies to strengthen security measures in Bangsamoro and conduct a thorough investigation to determine who are behind this attack and hold them accountable.)

“Nananawagan si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na maging mahinahon at pairalin ang pagiging makatao na may respeto sa karapatan, lalong-lalo na sa buhay ng bawat kababayan natin,” Castro said.

(President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the public to be calm and to uphold humanity and respect for the rights, especially the lives, of every Filipino.)

She added that the President condemns the ambush incident and assured that the BARMM polls will push through.

“Ang naganap na karahasan na ginawa kina BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua at mga kasamahan niya ay kinokondena ng Pangulo ngunit sinisiguro naman na hindi ito magpapahina sa naisin ng gobyerno para sa BARMM communities na magkaroon ng maayos na paglipat o pagbabago patungo sa pamamahalang demokratiko,” Castro said.

(The President condemns the violence against BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and his companions, but assured that the incident would not weaken the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition toward democratic governance in BARMM communities.)

The Philippine Army on Sunday said it remained committed to helping ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible conduct of the first parliamentary elections in BARMM, following the ambush try against Macacua.

“The Philippine Army is committed to helping ensure that the Bangsamoro voters can exercise the right to elect their next leaders,” Lieutenant General Donald Gumiran, Philippine Army commanding general, said in a statement.

“In coordination with the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police, and other concerned agencies, we will continue to perform our mandate within the bounds of the law and remain vigilant against armed groups and other threats that may undermine the electoral process,” he added.

Armed assailants ambushed the convoy of Macacua at at around 4:45 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

The armed men fired gunshots at three vehicles in the convoy. Macacua and his companions emerged unhurt.

Macacua was traveling from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, where he had attended the proclamation rally of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), the party he recently joined and where he was named chairman after previously running as an independent candidate in the province’s 3rd district.

Won't affect BARMM elections

In a statement, Macacua said the incident will not hamper the conduct of the BARMM polls.

“This incident will not derail our commitment to democratic progress. It does not weaken our resolve to hold the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections; if anything, it strengthens our determination to ensure that the voice of the people, rather than the force of arms, dictates the future of our region,” he said.

He also urged the public to avoid engaging in baseless speculations.

“I call upon the public to remain calm, exercise restraint, and refrain from baseless speculation that could hamper the work of authorities. Allah (SWT) sees all things, and in His justice and wisdom, we place our ultimate trust,” he added.

In a separate statement, Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia directed the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to "immediately determine the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

The first BARMM elections is scheduled on September 14.

The Philippine National Police earlier said it is stepping up security measures in 108 areas identified by the Comelec as areas of concern.

Of the 108 areas of concern, Lanao del Sur has the highest number of red zones with 21.

Maguindanao del Sur, meanwhile, has 11 areas classified as orange zones. Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan have areas classified under varying levels of risk, while Tawi-Tawi remains relatively secure and stable, according to the PNP. —KG, GMA News