DILG: Report on BARMM chief ambush out in 1-2 weeks

PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — A report on the ambush involving Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua may be released in one to two weeks, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday.

"It's still still under investigation. There are suspects, there are leads, but the final report will maybe come out in one or two weeks," Remulla told the media.

Remulla did not further share any details but said authorities are definite who was behind the ambush.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said both the regional police and other concerned agencies

"All our efforts, resources, we directed the regional director and all of the national supporting agencies yield them together to ocome up a resolution of that incident that is to identify the perpetrator and what could have deemed in doing so," Naratez said.

On August 15, Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed after armed assailants ambushed their convoy in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Macacua was traveling from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, when the incident occurred.

He 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

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation into the ambush against Macacua and his convoy and urge the public to be calm and to uphold humanity and respect for rights.

Remulla urged voters to choose their leaders wisely as their future will depend on the ones they will cast their votes on.

He also told the international community that, "this grand experiment will show that a Muslim nation can exist in a Christian country. It's very important because not only to the Philippines but also to the world."

The BARMM elections is scheduled on Septeber 14.

Earlier this week, the Commission on Elections said authorities have deployed additional securities following the ambush.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said it was natural for security personnel to be increased in areas being monitored for potential threats.

Currently, there are 25,000 checkpoints across the region, according to Laudiangco. — BM, GMA News