By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – An unidentified gunman shot and injured Datu Piang Vice Mayor Omar Samama while he was speaking at a local event in Barangay Magaslong, Maguindanao del Sur at 10 a.m. Monday.
Samama, who is seeking reelection, was hit in the abdomen and rushed to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center where he was admitted for surgery.
Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Samama was conscious while being transported to the hospital.
The vice mayor, a lawyer, was delivering a speech at an evacuation center where the local government was hosting medical-dental services for internally displaced persons. His father, Datu Piang Mayor Victor Samama, was also on stage during the program.
The Samamas are official candidates of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion, and his troops are assisting the Datu Piang municipal police in pursuing the suspects and restoring order in the area.
Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma, Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director, said pursuit operations are ongoing.
“We are working closely with the military to ensure the safety of the community and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Paloma said.
The incident underscores the challenges faced by local officials in maintaining peace and security, especially during the election season. (PNA)
