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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Armed attack on BARMM chief minister won't stop first parliamentary polls

Palace: Armed attack on BARMM chief minister won't stop first parliamentary polls

Published Aug 17, 2026 01:32 pm

At A Glance

  • Malacañang said the recent attack on Bangsamoro interim chief will not affect the pursuit of the first parliamentary elections in the region.
  • PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said the elections next month will proceed as scheduled.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
Malacañang said the recent attack on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will not prevent the conduct of the region's first parliamentary election.
In a press briefing on Monday, Aug. 17, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the elections will proceed as scheduled.
"Katulad po nang nabanggit natin na mensahe ng Pangulo, hindi po ito makakapigil sa anumang balak na magkaroon ng tuluy-tuloy na pagbabago para sa pagkakaroon ng pamahalaang demokratiko sa komunidad ng BARMM (As we mentioned in the President’s message, this will not prevent any plans to pursue continuous reforms toward establishing a democratic form of government in the BARMM community)," Castro said.
"At ayon din naman po sa Comelec (Commission on Elections) ay tuluy-tuloy rin po ang eleksyon at naghahanda po sila para sa isang peaceful na eleksyon. At generally, sabi ng Comelec ay peaceful naman ang buong BARMM (According to the Comelec, the elections will proceed as scheduled, and they are preparing for a peaceful election. Generally, the Comelec has said that the entire BARMM remains peaceful)," Castro added.
On Sunday, President Marcos assured the Bangsamoro that the incident will not weaken the government's commitment to helping the region carry out a smooth transition to a democratic governance.
This, as he condemned the armed attack at the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua in Maguindanao del Norte.
According to Castro, a thorough investigation into the attack has been launched, adding that they leave it to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine who is behind the incident.
"And patungkol naman po sa PNP, sa ngayon po ay malalimang pag-iimbestiga pa rin ang isinasagawa nila (As for the PNP, they are currently conducting an in-depth investigation)," Castro said.
"Pero kung anuman po ang operasyon para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nito ay ipapaubaya na lamang po natin sa PNP, at hindi po natin maaaring ibunyag sa lahat kung ano pa ang kanilang mga ginagawang pag-iimbestiga at operasyon (Whatever operations they undertake to determine who is behind this incident will be left to the PNP, and we cannot disclose to the public the details of their ongoing investigations and operations)," Castro added.
In his recent speaking engagement, Marcos stressed the importance of the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro, as he believes that it is the culmination of decades-long peace efforts.
The President also said the parliamentary election next month is important for Mindanao's peace and development
The first-ever Bangsamoro Parliament election is expected to take place on September 14, 2026.

Related Tags

Bangsamoro BARMM BARMM elections Malacañang President Marcos
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