By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The recent ambush attack on BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua drew condemnation from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as well as elicited concerns from the masses about the fate of the upcoming elections in the region set on September 14.
This, as Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reassured the citizenry that the administration remains unfazed by the incident.
“Katulad po ng nabanggit natin na mensahe ng Pangulo, hindi po ito makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM.”
Earlier, Usec. Castro reiterated President Marcos Jr.’s sentiment on the attack, emphasizing that violence will not derail the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) transition to democratic governance.
The Palace official also told reporters Sunday that the President has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, directing concerned government agencies to hold those behind the attack accountable.
She told the media in a briefing on Monday, “Tungkol naman po sa PNP, sa ngayon po ay malalimang pag-iimbestiga pa rin ang isinasagawa nila, pero kung ano man po ang operasyon para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nito ay ipapaubaya na lamang po natin sa PNP at hindi po natin maaaring ibunyag sa lahat kung ano pa ang kanilang mga ginagawang pag-iimbestiga at operasyon.”
Macacua’s convoy was assailed by unknown perpetrators while traveling along the national highway in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte at around 4:45 p.m. on August 15.
The BARMM chief remained unharmed after his armored vehicle sustained several bullet holes, including one on the driver’s side. Two other armored vehicles in the convoy were also hit. (with report from Ryan Lesigues | PTV News)
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