Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned and ordered an investigation into the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/15/barmm-interim-chief-minister-macacua-s-convoy-ambushed-in-maguindanao-del-norte-2029">attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua on Saturday</a>, Palace press officer Claire Castro said. Macacua’s convoy was ambushed in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Saturday afternoon.He had just attended an assembly in Kabuntalan, where he took his oath as a member of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party and assumed its leadership.Macacua is former secretary general of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, the party created by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that signed the 2014 peace deal that led to the creation of BARMM.There were no injuries reported in the ambush.The Palace said Marcos has instructed agencies to conduct an investigation into the attack and intensify security in BARMM communities. Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also condemned the incident, which he called an attack on the Bangsamoro peace process.&quot;We cannot allow violence, intimidation, or fear to undermine what generations have struggled and sacrificed to achieve,&quot; he said.He said that grievances should be addressed &quot;through dialogue, democratic institutions, and the rule of law&quot;, and not violence.The Commission on Elections has also ordered the police and military to “immediately determine the perpetrators” of the alleged ambush.“Whether this is election-related or not, the maintenance of peace and order in the area is of utmost importance,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.The first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections is set to take place on September 14, when around 2.3 million voters are expected to elect 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament.The parliament will have 40 regional representatives from political parties, 32 district representatives, and eight sectoral representatives.In a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1359117236338332&amp;set=a.184782200438514">statement</a>, Macacua said the incident &quot;strengthens our determination to ensure that the voice of the people, rather than the force of arms, dictates the future of our region.&quot;The interim chief minister also urged the public to remain calm, exercise restraint and &quot;refrain from baseless speculation that could hamper the work of authorities.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/11/pnp-to-tighten-security-in-108-barmm-election-areas-of-concern-1059">PNP to tighten security in 108 BARMM election areas of concern</a></div>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned and ordered an investigation into the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/15/barmm-interim-chief-minister-macacua-s-convoy-ambushed-in-maguindanao-del-norte-2029">attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua on Saturday</a>, Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has condemned and ordered an investigation into the attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua on Saturday , Palace press officer Claire Castro said.

Palace orders probe into ambush on BARMM interim chief minister

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Palace orders probe into ambush on BARMM interim chief minister

Marilyn Cahatol,

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 16, 2026 01:10 PM PHT

|

Updated August 16, 2026 01:33 PM PHT

Read More:

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua

ambush

Bongbong Marcos

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