PNP: Ambush of BARMM chief minister's convoy is suspected election-related incident

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has classified the reported ambush on the convoy of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" Macacua as a suspected election-related incident.

At a press briefing on Monday, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the matter will be discussed first among concerned agencies like the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

“As of now, this is considered as a suspected election-related incident since it involves a candidate or a public official in the same area and it happened during the election period,” Co said.

“Now, mag-convene po 'yung committee dito to ascertain whether this will be considered finally as an election-related incident. Once it meets yung mga criteria so to speak,” he added.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into the ambush. The PNP said it has formed a Special Investigation Task Group to conduct a probe of the incident.

Around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed after armed assailants ambushed their five-vehicle convoy while it was traveling along the General Santos-Cotabato National Highway.

Gunfire hit three of the vehicles.

Macacua was traveling from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, where he had attended the proclamation rally of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP).

He recently joined the party where he was named chairman after previously running as an independent candidate in the province’s 3rd district.

COMELEC chairperson George Erwin Garcia earlier directed the PMP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to "immediately determine the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

"Whether this is election related or not, the maintenance of peace and order in the area is of utmost importance. No stone should be left untouched just to ensure that the trust and confidence of the people will remain. However, respect for constitutional rights is paramount to ensure the rule of law," Garcia said. —RF, GMA News