MANILA, Philippines — The Sept. 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will push through despite the recent ambush on Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, according to Malacañang.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing on Monday that the attack would not derail efforts to establish a democratic government in the region.
“As we mentioned in the President’s message, this will not prevent the continued pursuit of change toward establishing a democratic government in the BARMM communities,” she said.
According to Castro, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) also assured the national government that preparations for the elections were continuing.
The poll body has described the situation across BARMM as “generally peaceful.”
READ: MILF seeks deep probe into Macacua ambush despite political fallout
Malacañang’s assurance came after an ambush targeted Macacua and his companions on Saturday in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. He and his group were unharmed.
The ambush happened just hours after he was selected to lead a newly formed regional party vying for seats in the coming polls.
Macacua is running for representative of the third district of Maguindanao del Norte. He is a former chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He is facing Badrudin Mamad, a former commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), another breakaway group from the MILF.
The Philippine National Police is still investigating the incident and has not publicly identified those behind it.
READ: Ambush vs BARMM chief Macacua won’t affect Sept. 14 polls – PNP
Castro said the police were conducting an in-depth probe and other operations to determine the perpetrators. She declined to give details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The long-delayed BARMM parliamentary elections are seen as a key step in the transition to a full-fledged regional government under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The vote will determine the 80 members of the first Bangsamoro Parliament, which will succeed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as the interim parliament. /mcm
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