President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered an investigation into the ambush of Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua’s convoy, while calling for calm and sobriety to prevent the attack from fueling tensions and undermining peace and political stability in the region ahead of its first parliamentary elections.

Macacua survived an ambush after his convoy was fired upon by unidentified gunmen in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Saturday afternoon, August 15, 2026.

In a statement, Macacua said his convoy  was attacked while returning from a public engagement in Barangay Gambar, Kabuntalan.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. said Marcos had directed government agencies to identify those behind the attack and ensure that they are brought to justice.

“Hindi dapat pahintulutan ang insidente na makasira sa kapayapaan, katatagan, at patuloy na paglipat ng Bangsamoro tungo sa demokratikong pamamahala,” Lagdameo quoted Marcos as saying.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) also called on the police and military to identify the gunmen, establish the motive behind the attack, and bring the suspects to justice.

“Ipinapakita ng kautusan ng Pangulo ang posisyon ng administrasyon na hindi dapat gawing instrumento ang karahasan sa pag-aayos ng anumang alitan - politikal man, personal o iba pa - sa Bangsamoro,” Lagdameo said.

Lagdameo said the incident raised concerns due to Macacua’s position as head of the Bangsamoro interim government and its potential impact on peace and stability in the region.

However, Lagdameo emphasized the need for calm and restraint among Bangsamoro communities as authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Lagdameo said this call is important as the region prepares for the parliamentary elections, where peace and stability are crucial to maintaining the credibility of the political process.

He said the government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of close coordination between the national government and the Bangsamoro government to maintain peace and support the region’s political and economic development.

Lagdameo added that the  President’s call for calm carries both a security and political message: the government will pursue those responsible for the attack, while also protecting the broader peace process from being derailed by violence.

He said the national government will continue working with Bangsamoro officials, communities, and other stakeholders to maintain peace, protect public officials, and prevent the ambush from triggering renewed unrest in a region striving to move beyond armed conflict.