Marcos orders tighter security after ambush on BARMM chief Macacua

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday condemned the attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and his companions.

This reaction comes as he ordered government agencies to tighten security in the region, which will hold 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.

Marcos also called for calmness and urged all parties to respect the rights and lives of Filipinos.

READ: Comelec orders probe into ambush on BARMM Chief Minister Macacua

“[He] assures the public that the incident will not weaken the government’s resolve to help BARMM communities achieve a smooth transition toward democratic governance,” Castro said.

Comelec chair George Garcia earlier ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to find the assailants in the ambush of Macacua.

“Whether this is election-related or not, the maintenance of peace and order in the area is of utmost importance,” Garcia said.

“No stone should be left untouched just to ensure that the trust and confidence of the people will remain,” he added.

Macacua and his companions survived a shooting as their convoy came under attack around 4:45 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

READ: BARMM chief minister’s convoy ambushed in Maguindanao del Norte

Unidentified gunmen fired at the three vehicles in the convoy.

Macacua’s armored vehicle was hit by several bullets, including one on the driver’s side.

No one among Macacua’s companions or security personnel was injured. The convoy continued to ride until it reached the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City.

Macacua was returning from his hometown of Barangay Gambar, Kabuntalan, where he was sworn in earlier that day as chair and president of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party.

The party is one of the new regional political parties set to participate in the parliamentary elections.

Macacua is running for representative of the third district of Maguindanao del Norte in the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Sept. 14. /apl