Malacañang on Monday said that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will push through as scheduled on September 14 despite the recent attack on a BARMM official.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the elections to proceed as part of the continuing transition toward democratic governance in the Bangsamoro region.

“Katulad ng nabanggit natin na mensahe ng Pangulo, hindi po ito (ambush) makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM,” Castro said.

Castro said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has described the ambush of Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua as an isolated incident and maintained that the scheduled elections should proceed without delay.

“Ayon pa rin sa Comelec ay generally peaceful naman ang buong BARMM,” Castro said.

The BARMM parliamentary elections, scheduled for September 14, will be the region’s first regular parliamentary elections and are expected to mark a major step in the transition from the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority to an elected regional government.

Macacua survived an attempted ambush on August 15, when gunmen fired assault rifles at his convoy along the national highway in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Three vehicles in the convoy, including the bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser carrying Macacua, were hit by gunfire, but the BARMM chief minister and his companions were unharmed.

The incident occurred after Macacua attended a gathering of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party in his hometown, Barangay Gambar, Mother Kabuntalan, where he formally assumed the chairmanship of the party.

Castro said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is continuing its investigation to determine the identities of those behind the attack.

“Sa ngayon ay malalimang pag-iimbestiga pa rin ang isinasagawa nila (PNP). Pero kung ano man ang operasyon para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nito ay ipapaubaya na lang natin sa PNP,” Castro said.

“Hindi po natin maaaring ibunyag sa lahat kung ano pa po ang kanilang ginagawang pag-iimbestiga at operasyon,” she added.

Marcos has ordered government agencies to strengthen security in BARMM and conduct a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attack. The President also called for calm and respect for the lives and rights of all Filipinos. Presidential News Desk