DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte (PNA) – Four police officers were injured when suspected Moro extremists harassed a roadside police outpost in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao del Sur on Monday evening, August 28.
Police Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police chief, said at least 10 gunmen belonging to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) opened fire on the detachment of the 1402nd Regional Mobile Force Company in Barangay Pagatin around 6:30 p.m.
Nobleza said the police unit was part of the contingent that performed peacekeeping duties during the first day of filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
“They (police officers) were part of the team that secured the perimeters of the Comelec office where candidates converge for filing of COCs,” Nobleza said. “They were also strictly implementing the election gun ban.”
Wounded were Police Patrolmen Abdul Lipuas and Alesona Makasandig and Police Corporal Fernan Andres. They were taken to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City.
“The fourth police officer only sustained minor injuries,” Nobleza said but did not name the victim.
The attackers were on board motorbikes and armed with assault rifles, he added.
Police and poll officials reported a generally peaceful first day of COC filing in BARMM, except for the Datu Salibo incident.
Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, the BARMM election supervisor, said they had devised mechanics to prevent long queues outside Comelec offices during the COC filing amid the extreme heat.