Comelec identifies person of interest in Maguindanao del Sur VM shooting

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia announced on Monday that authorities have identified a “person of interest” in the shooting of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Mayor Datu Omar Samama.

“Meron na silang person of interest diyan sa area na ‘yan (They already have a person of interest in that area),” Garcia told reporters after attending a meeting with Philippine National Police (PNP) officials at Camp Crame in Quezon City. The meeting focused on assessing security preparations for the upcoming May 2025 elections.

Garcia declined to provide further details on the shooting due to the ongoing investigation.

“Ayaw lang natin munang magbigay ng mga detalye upang hindi naman po maistorbo ‘yung kanilang ginagawang imbestigasyon and possibly ‘yung prosecution (We just don’t want to give details for now so as not to disrupt their ongoing investigation and possibly the prosecution),” he said.

On 24 February, an unidentified gunman shot and injured Samama while he was speaking at a local event in Barangay Magaslong, Maguindanao del Sur. Samama, who is seeking reelection in the May 2025 elections, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was rushed to a hospital in Cotabato City. The PNP reported that he underwent surgery and is now in stable condition.

Garcia condemned the attack on Samama, calling it an open challenge to law enforcement. “We are so saddened and we accept this as an open challenge to us and other law enforcement authorities. Violence has no place in a civilized society,” Garcia said.

Samama, a former Comelec official, is a candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The PNP has previously suggested that an armed group may be involved in the attack, as the shooter was positioned outside the crowd, with an obstructed view. Authorities suspect the gunman may have been a sniper.