MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Sunday ordered tighter security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as he condemned the attack on Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and his companions, less than a month before the region holds its first parliamentary elections on Sept. 14.
“The President has ordered all concerned government agencies to further strengthen security in Bangsamoro communities and conduct a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those behind the attack,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a message to Malacañang reporters.
“[H]e assures the public that the incident will not weaken the government’s resolve to help BARMM communities achieve a smooth transition toward democratic governance,” she added.
Meanwhile Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to find Macacua’s assailants.
READ: BARMM chief survives ambush in Maguindanao
“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,” Garcia said.
Macacua’s convoy was attacked by still unidentified men around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. He and his group were unharmed.
The ambush happened just hours after he was selected to lead a newly formed regional party vying seats in the coming polls.
READ: Comelec orders probe into ambush on BARMM Chief Minister Macacua
‘Painful reality’
Macacua, 68, said the attempt on his life “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.”
“This tragic attempt underscores a painful reality: our society still has much work ahead to achieve true, lasting peace and maturity,” he said in his statement on Sunday.
In his statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police “will work to identify those who may be responsible and ensure that appropriate action is taken in accordance with the law and due process.”
AFP chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, for his part, said: “The AFP will pursue the perpetrators and work closely with the PNP, Comelec, and other concerned agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that they are held accountable under the law.”
Rival condemns attack
Macacua was returning from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Kabuntalan, where he was sworn in earlier that day as chair and president of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) when the new party held a grand proclamation rally.
His alliance with BFP signaled his political breakup with his comrades in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose United Bangsamoro Justice Party is BFP’s closest rival for seats in the 80-member regional parliament.
Macacua is running for representative of the third district of Maguindanao del Norte. He is facing Badrudin Mamad, a former commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, another breakaway group from the MILF.
Despite their political fallout, MILF chair Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim condemned the ambush on Macacua, whom the group suspended in June as chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF’s armed wing.
Macacua was also removed as secretary general of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, the MILF’s political party.
Ebrahim said: “We… reiterate our opposition to violence and intimidation and call for the immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation of the reported attack, including the identification of those responsible and the determination of the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident.” —WITH REPORTS FROM DEXTER CABALZA, ANDREA GREGORIO, EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ AND KEITH CLORES INQ
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