COTABATO CITY – The vice mayor of Datu Piang town in Maguindanao del Sur province was shot and wounded on Monday morning, Feb. 24.
Police said Vice Mayor Atty. Datu Omar Samama was shot while delivering a speech before his constituents in Barangay Magaslong in Datu Piang.
SAMAMA
The incident was captured on video by one of his constituents and a portion is now making rounds on Facebook.
A statement from the local government of Datu Piang said Samama is recovering in an undisclosed hospital.
The vice mayor was attending the 4th Serbisyong Handog ng Inyong Nagmamalasakit at Epektibong (SHINE) medical outreach and relief distribution activity of the local government when he was shot.
“The incident occurred while Vice Mayor Samama was fulfilling his duties to serve the community. We are thankful to report that, by the grace of Allah, Vice Mayor Samama is currently recovering. His family, colleagues, and the entire community of Datu Piang continue to offer their support, and we remain hopeful for his full recovery,” the LGU said.
Samama is running for reelection in May under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).
The LGU said that police are now investigating the incident.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of the Interior and Local Government condemned the incident and called it was a senseless and cowardly attack on Samama.
“This brazen act of violence has no place in a peaceful and just Bangsamoro. The MILG stands firm in demanding swift action to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.”