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

“They already have a person of interest,” Garcia told reporters in an interview after meeting with Philippine National Police (PNP) officials at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Garcia met with the PNP officials to assess security preparations for the upcoming May elections.

The Comelec chairperson declined to provide further details about the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.

“We don’t want to release details just yet to avoid disrupting the investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.

On 24 February, a gunman shot Samama while he was speaking at a local event in Barangay Magaslong, Maguindanao del Sur.

The vice mayor, who is seeking reelection, sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen and was rushed to a hospital in Cotabato City.

The PNP reported that he underwent surgery and is in stable condition. Garcia had condemned the attack.

“We are deeply saddened by this incident and see it as a serious challenge to us and other law enforcement authorities. Violence has no place in a civilized society,” he said.

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

The PNP earlier suggested that an armed group may have been involved, noting that the shooter was positioned outside the crowd and had an obstructed view. Police suspect the gunman was a sniper.