Photo courtesy of PNA
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to strengthen security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following the ambush of interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said Sunday that Marcos also directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and identify those responsible for the attack.
The President urged the public and political groups to remain calm and respect the rights and safety of Filipinos as the region prepared for its first parliamentary elections on September 14.
Castro said the attack would not derail the government’s support for BARMM’s transition toward democratic governance.
Commission on Elections Chair George Garcia had earlier instructed the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help track down the assailants.
Garcia said maintaining peace and order remained critical whether or not the attack was eventually found to be election-related.
Macacua’s convoy was fired upon at around 4:45 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Three vehicles were struck, including the armored vehicle carrying Macacua.
Macacua and his companions were unharmed. He had been returning from Kabuntalan, where he was sworn in as chair and president of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which is set to take part in the September 14 polls.