The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has strongly condemned the recent attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The incident took place as Macacua’s convoy was passing through Barangay Bitu in Datu Odin Sinsuat, returning from an engagement in Barangay Gambar, Kabuntalan. Armed men opened fire on the vehicle but Macacua and the members of his delegation escaped unharmed.
OPAPRU Chief Mel Senen Sarmiento expressed relief over the safety of the delegation and urged the public to let law enforcement handle the situation without resorting to speculation or retaliatory acts.
“We call on everyone to remain calm, refrain from speculation or assigning responsibility and allow the proper authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. Those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” Sarmiento said.
“We urge everyone to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law. No individual or group should take the law into their own hands or allow political differences, anger or unverified information to create further tension or violence. The investigation must be allowed to establish the facts independently and objectively,” he added.
The assault comes at a critical juncture as the region prepares to hold its first parliamentary elections. Sarmiento stressed that maintaining a secure, democratic environment is essential for building confidence in regional institutions and protecting the achievements of the peace process.
“We call on all sectors to support the Comelec in ensuring peaceful, orderly, and credible elections and our security forces in safeguarding communities, candidates and voters,” Sarmiento noted, adding, “We likewise appeal to all political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect democratic processes and institutions.”
Reaffirming OPAPRU’s dedication to preserving democratic space alongside all stakeholders, Sarmiento warned against letting violence dismantle decades of peacebuilding work.
“Let us remain focused on our shared aspiration: a peaceful, democratic and progressive Bangsamoro contributing to a stronger Philippines. Let us choose peace. Let the law take its course. Let democracy work,” Sarmiento concluded.
In his own statement addressing the attack, Macacua denounced the ambush as a “sad, cowardly act.”
“It is deeply heartbreaking that any individual or group would resort to violence to inflict harm. This tragic attempt underscores a painful reality: our society still has much work ahead to achieve true, lasting peace and maturity,” Macacua stated.
Despite the security threat, Macacua emphasized that the incident would not derail the regional transition or compromise the upcoming electoral process.
“If anything, it strengthens our determination to ensure that the voice of the people, rather than the force of arms, dictates the future of our region,” Macacua said. “We place our full faith in the law enforcement and security agencies currently conducting a thorough investigation. I call upon the public to remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from baseless speculation that could hamper the work of authorities.”