The town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte will now be under the control of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ahead of the 2025 polls following the ambush that killed the town’s election officer and her husband.

According to the COMELEC-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (COMELEC-BARMM), the poll body will create a task force that has authority to implement election laws in the town.

The task force will also have the authority to mobilize the police and military to prevent crimes and maintain peace and order.

With this, the activities of the local government will now be limited.

“Even the activities of the LGU, they have to ask authorities from the task force which will may affect the election natin. Like for example, the enforcement of the different bans - gun ban, infrastructure ban, disbursement of public funds - the task force will ensure na na-follow ng LGU or whatever agencies nandiyan sa LGU na susunod doon sa patakaran,” COMELEC-BARMM Director, Atty. Ray Sumalipao, said.

COMELEC-BARMM added that teachers will still serve as members of the electoral board.

“Teachers pa rin, so long as they are willing, they are capable and qualified to serve but somehow the task force can assess the situation, can assess the circumstances, talagang may impending gulo or gulo are expected to arise, then PNP may be called upon to serve and assume full duties but not the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Sumalipao added.

The provincial election supervisor will assume the post vacated by Datu Odin Sinsuat election officer, Atty. Maceda Lidasan Abo.

“The provincial election supervisor, Atty. Nabil Mutia, will assume as the acting election officer in a concurrent capacity. He will not be leaving the roles, and responsibilities, duties of the provincial election supervisor but in addition to that, he will as well assume the task and duties of acting election officer,” Sumalipao said.

Abo, was heading to work with her husband, Jojo, when they were ambushed by armed men in Barangay Makir around 8 a.m. on March 26, 2025.

Investigation into the incident continues.