The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public that security measures remain firmly in place ahead of the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In line with directives from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders to intensify intelligence-gathering, maintain political neutrality, and make real-time deployment adjustments to protect voters, candidates and election personnel.
Addressing a recent incident where armed men fired at the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua in Maguindanao del Norte, Nartatez confirmed that security operations will adapt to keep the electoral process on track.
“We in the Philippine National Police, along with our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Commission on Elections, will continue to assess the security situation and conduct necessary adjustments to ensure that the incident does not disrupt the electoral process,” Nartatez said. “We assure the people of BARMM that the PNP, along with the AFP, Comelec and other stakeholders, will do everything within its mandate to ensure their safety and protect their right to participate freely and peacefully in the elections.”
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) similarly noted that the ambush appears to be an isolated incident and should not delay the upcoming polls.
Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed during the attack in Datu Odin Sinsuat following a campaign event for the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, where he serves as chairman.