BARMM polls to proceed despite Macacua ambush, says Palace
MANILA, Philippines — The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will proceed on Septemebr 14 despite the ambush on the convoy of interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, Malacañang said Monday.
"Hindi po ito makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
("This will not stop efforts to continue the transition toward democratic governance in BARMM.")
Macacua survived an ambush Saturday, August 15, when unidentified gunmen fired at vehicles in his convoy in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. No one was reported injured.
The attack happened hours after Macacua assumed leadership of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party during a gathering in Barangay Gambar, Kabuntalan. The party is fielding candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Macacua had filed his candidacy in May as an independent for a parliamentary district covering areas in Cotabato City and Maguindanao del Norte. After joining the party, he became its official candidate.
The September 14 vote will be BARMM's first regular parliamentary election, replacing the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority with an elected parliament.
Probe continues. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered authorities to strengthen security across BARMM and investigate who was behind the attack.
Castro said Monday that the Palace would leave the investigation to the Philippine National Police.
"Kung ano man po ang operasyon para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nito ay ipapaubaya na lamang po natin sa PNP at hindi po natin maaaring ibunyag sa lahat kung ano pa ang kanilang mga ginagawang pag-iimbestiga," Castro said.
("Whatever operations are being conducted to determine who is behind this, we will leave to the PNP, and we cannot disclose everything they are doing in the investigation.")
The Commission on Elections has also said the region remained generally peaceful despite the attack and that preparations for the Sept. 14 polls would continue.
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