OICs named for 2 towns in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Parouk Hussin has appointed caretakers for two Maguindanao towns still locked in electoral disputes.

In a statement, Hussin said he has appointed Zaidamin Midtimbang and Jabbar Sinsuat as officers-in-charge for Talitay and South Upi, respectively. The two towns are both in the second district of Maguindanao.

Midtimbang and Sinsuat head the associations of barangay chairmen in their respective towns.

In Talitay town, Bai Sumayan Midtimbang and re-electionist mayor Cabili Sumagka are squabbling over the mayoral post.

The municipality hogged the headlines during the campaign period for the May 10 polls when Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels launched violent attacks there.

Two mayoral candidates in South Upi, meanwhile, were separately proclaimed mayors, resulting in an electoral impasse.

Two weeks ago, the Commission on Elections annulled the controversial proclamations of South Upi’s re-electionist mayor, Israel Sinsuat, and his closest rival, Antonio Gunsi, but has yet to decide on who between them is the duly elected mayor.

Hussin said the regional Department of the Interior and Local Government will help oversee the operations of the municipal governments of Talitay and South Upi.