Security measures have been intensified in Maguindanao del Norte following an armed attack targeting the convoy of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
The ambush took place in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat.
COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco stated that augmenting security forces in areas designated for heightened monitoring follows standard protocol.
“Yes, more security personnel were deployed. Naturally, additional personnel will be deployed when there is something that needs to be monitored,” Laudiangco stated during an interview.
While security forces are being expanded, Laudiangco emphasized that authorities are taking precautions to prevent public anxiety or create a perception of excessive militarization within the area.
“The number will increase, but we do not want the deployment of additional personnel to cause fear among our fellow citizens. We do not want the area to appear militarized,” he added.
Macacua and his party escaped uninjured after unidentified assailants fired upon their convoy on August 15 while traveling from his home town in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan. Electoral authorities are treating the assault as potentially election-related due to its timing.
“It happened during the election period. It happened during the campaign period. It happened immediately after the interim chief minister took his oath with his political party,” Laudiangco noted.
“Even if COMELEC considers it an election-related incident, it hopes that it is an isolated case as it continues its verification across BARMM,” he stated.
To maintain peace and order, election officials confirmed that 25,000 security checkpoints are actively operating across the region.