DATU ANGGAL MIDTIMBANG, Maguindanao del Sur — Another alarming case of election-related violence struck Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday afternoon, April 13, as an aspiring provincial board member survived an ambush in Barangay Kiteb, Datu Anggal Midtimbang.
Datu Baba Omar, who is vying for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan representing the 1st District, was aboard his black Toyota Innova (plate number NGC 6760) when unidentified gunmen opened fire along the national highway. Omar survived the attack, but his driver sustained injuries and was rushed to the nearest hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, which rattled local residents and added to growing concerns over safety ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections.
The ambush happened only hours after Omar was seen attending the Proclamation Rally of Team James Care and Team Agila in neighboring Datu Piang — a stark reminder of the fragile peace and persistent political tensions in the region.
Despite repeated assurances from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that crime rates in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are on a downward trend, the spate of violent incidents linked to the upcoming elections tells a different story on the ground. Local communities have reported an unsettling rise in ambushes, harassment, and intimidation against candidates and their supporters, especially in conflict-prone areas of Maguindanao del Sur and nearby provinces.
Civic groups and election watchdogs are now calling on authorities to step up security measures and ensure a safe and fair electoral process. Many fear that such attacks, if left unchecked, could undermine both the democratic exercise and the fragile peace process in the region.
As of this writing, police have yet to release a statement on possible motives or suspects behind the attack on Omar. Residents, meanwhile, are left grappling with fear, as the election season in the Bangsamoro region grows increasingly volatile.