COTABATO City – Vice Mayor Omar Samama of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur was shot and seriously wounded by an unidentified gunman while speaking at a public event on Monday (24 Feb 22025) morning in Barangay Magaslong.
The re-electionist vice mayor, who was delivering a speech at an evacuation center during a medical-dental service for internally displaced persons, was struck in the abdomen. He was quickly rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for surgery.
According to Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Samama was conscious during transport to the hospital. His father, Mayor Victor Samama of Datu Piang, was also on stage at the time of the attack.
The Samama family, political figures associated with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), are officially running for office in the upcoming elections.
Local authorities, in coordination with military personnel, have launched pursuit operations to apprehend the gunman. Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, commander of the 6th Infantry Battalion, and Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma, provincial police director, emphasized their commitment to restoring order and ensuring the safety of the community.
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly during the election period.
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