The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday that the ambush of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua was not sufficient legal or factual ground to postpone the 14 September parliamentary elections.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the 15 August attack in Barangay Dulangan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, appeared to be an isolated incident and should not prompt the poll body to place the municipality under Comelec control.

“We’re investigating whether the ambush was related to his recent oath-taking as chairman of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party,” Garcia said.

Macacua and his entourage escaped unharmed after armed assailants strafed their convoy at about 4 p.m. Saturday as they traveled from his hometown in Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan.

He had attended the proclamation rally of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which he recently joined and later named him its chairman.

Garcia said Comelec personnel had spoken with Macacua and were assessing whether the attack was election-related. He added that investigators had leads on the suspects and that arrests could be made in the coming days.

Attack condemned

The Philippine Army said it remained committed to helping ensure peaceful, orderly and credible elections.

Malacañang condemned the attack and ordered a thorough investigation.

“The President condemns the violence committed against BARMM Interim Chief Minister Macacua and his colleagues but assures that this will not weaken the government’s desire for the BARMM communities to have a smooth transition or change towards democratic governance,” Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

Macacua said the attack would not deter him from pursuing peace and democratic progress.

“This incident will not derail our commitment to democratic progress. It does not weaken our resolve to hold the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections; 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,” he said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the military would coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Comelec and other agencies to identify the perpetrators.

“The AFP will pursue the perpetrators and work closely with the Philippine National Police, Commission on Elections, and other concerned agencies to identify those responsible and ensure that they are held accountable under the law,” Nafarrete said.

Peace threatened

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said authorities would not speculate on the motive until the investigation determines what happened.

“At this time, we will not speculate on the motive, including whether the incident is election-related. The circumstances will be determined through the proper investigation,” Nartatez said.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento urged restraint, warning against allowing political differences or unverified information to fuel further violence.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the attack threatened gains made under the Bangsamoro peace process.

“This attack strikes not only at the life of the Chief Minister but at the very foundation of the Bangsamoro peace process,” Adiong said.