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MANILA, August 16, 2026 (SDN) — The runup to the historic first parliamentary polls on September 14 was broken by a violence on Saturday, August 15, involving the ambush of Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua.
Fortunately, he survived the attack unscathed, as well as his security detail, on his convoy perpetrated at around 4:15 p.m. by still unidentified suspects along the national highway in Barangay Ditu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
His convoy was returning to the Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC), the present seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Complex in Cotabato City, after a big meeting of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), which is one of the regional parties contesting the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections (BPE).
He formally was elected chairman of the BFP, a rival to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), headed by Ahod Balawag (Al-Murad) Ebrahim, former BARMM chief minister, and chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The UBJP is the political party of the MILF. Around eight regional political parties have thrown their hats in the BARMM political exercise.
“I now accept the leadership of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP). I thank Tomanda Antok for his service and BIAF for expressing this support,” the BARMM top leader says. (BIAF is Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, military wing of the MILF.)
“There are moments in history that call for unity and courage from our leaders. This is one of those moments,” he adds.
Both Macacua and Ebrahim and many others are seeking slots as members of the 80-seat regular Parliament after seven years of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) established in January 2019.
Subsequently, the Chief Minister offered in a written message his gratitude to Allah (SWT) “for his divine protection, which ensured that my companions and I emerged unharmed from this grave event. In moments like these, we are reminded of the sacred wisdom of the Holy Qur’an” which cited.
“And He will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him.” (Surah At-Talaq, 65:3)
Macacua, now head of the regional political party that counts as members and supporters a vast majority of the Bangsamoro’s incumbent local government officials — congressmen, governors, mayors, and many others — denounced the attempt on his life as a “cowardly act with profound sadness — not for myself, but for it reflects.”
He continued: “While the heavy responsibility of public office carries inherent security risks, it is deeply heartbreaking that any individual or group would resort to violence to inflict harm. This tragic attempt underscores a painful reality: our society still has much work to achieve true, lasting peace and maturity.”
On the other hand, Macacua assured that his commitment on pushing forward democratic progress will continue. “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 thanthe force of arms, dictates the future of our region.”
The Chief Minister did not forget to cite his faith in the country’s law enforcement and security agencies now investigating the incident even as he called on the public to stay grounded, to exercise restraint, and to refrain from baseless speculation that may affect the authorities’ work. — EDD K. USMAN (/)