COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 24 Feb) — The vice mayor of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, was wounded when he was shot while giving a speech before his constituents around 10 a.m. Monday, an incident recorded on video that has gone viral on social media. Lawyer Omar Samama was speaking during a program in Barangay Magaslong for the “Serbisyong Handog ng Inyong Nagmamalasakit at Epektibong Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Datu Piang” or SHINE when a single gunfire was heard, causing him to fall to the ground. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. Datu Piang Mayor Victor Samama, the vice mayor’s father, confirmed his son is in stable condition after being hit on the side of his stomach. Vice Mayor Samama is seeking reelection as the running mate of his father under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) – United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), led by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). His party-mate, former Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, now running as a representative, called for intensified security for candidates as election fever rises, condemning the attack and demanding justice. The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG-BARMM) also condemned the “senseless and cowardly attack,” urging a swift and thorough investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable. Former House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna strongly condemned the shooting, calling it an assault on peace, democracy, and the rule of law. The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) has monitored close to 90 shooting incidents since January, with 143 communities in the region under watch as election areas of concern. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
