Palace orders probe into attack on BARMM chief minister's convoy
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has called for calm and sobriety among the Bangsamoro people following the ambush on the convoy of Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.
This, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered state security and law enforcement agencies to swiftly get to the bottom of the attack and hold those responsible accountable.
Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. said the President’s message is clear: The incident must not be allowed to undermine peace, stability and the Bangsamoro region’s continuing transition to democratic governance.
Lagdameo stressed the need for sobriety and restraint among Bangsamoro communities, particularly as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those behind it.
The call came after armed men opened fire on Macacua’s convoy at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday along the national highway in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Three vehicles in the convoy, including the bulletproof vehicle carrying Macacua, were hit by rifle fire, according to reports, but the interim chief minister, his companions and security personnel escaped unharmed.
The attack immediately triggered concern because of Macacua’s position as head of the interim BARMM government and its potential implications for peace and stability in the region.
Lagdameo said the president has directed the appropriate government authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, determine the perpetrators and ensure that they are brought to justice.
The directive underscores the administration’s position that violence cannot be allowed to become an instrument for settling political, personal or other disputes in the Bangsamoro.
Authorities have yet to identify the gunmen or establish the motive for the attack, and officials have cautioned against premature conclusions while the investigation is ongoing.
Army intelligence units are assisting the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station in determining who carried out the attack and what may have prompted it.
The Commission on Elections has likewise directed the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately determine the perpetrators and bring them to justice, while stressing the importance of maintaining peace and order in the region.
For Lagdameo, the immediate priority is to prevent the incident from triggering fear, retaliation or further tension among communities in the Bangsamoro.
He called on Bangsamoro leaders and residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to complete their investigation rather than speculate on the identity or motive of the attackers.
The appeal is particularly significant as the region prepares for its first regular Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, making peace and stability essential to the credibility of the political transition.
The government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of close coordination between the national and Bangsamoro governments in preserving peace and supporting the region’s political and economic development.
Lagdameo has served as a key bridge between Malacañang and Bangsamoro leaders, with the national government previously stressing stronger national-regional cooperation as the region moves toward its parliamentary elections.
The ambush, however, should not be allowed to erase the broader gains made in the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly the shift from armed conflict toward democratic governance and political participation.
The President’s call for calm therefore carries both a security and political message: the government will pursue those responsible for the attack, but it will also protect the larger peace process from being derailed by violence.
Lagdameo said the national government remains committed to working with Bangsamoro officials and communities in maintaining peace, protecting public officials and ensuring that disputes are addressed through lawful and democratic means.
The administration, Lagdameo said, will continue to work with BARMM officials and other stakeholders to ensure that the ambush does not become another source of instability in a region that has worked for years to move beyond armed conflict.
The immediate challenge now is to establish the facts, identify those responsible and bring them before the proper authorities — while keeping the Bangsamoro peace process firmly on course. (Contributed story)
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