Person of interest in Maguindanao del Sur vice mayor shooting identified —Comelec

A person of interest has been identified in the shooting of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Mayor Datu Omar Samama, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia had a meeting Monday morning with Philippine National Police (PNP) officials in connection with the security of the upcoming May 2025 elections.

“Meron na silang person of interest diyan sa area na 'yan (They already have a person of interest in that area),” Garcia said in an ambush interview when asked for update on the shooting of Samama.

“Ayaw lang natin munang magbigay ng mga detalye upang hindi naman po maistorbo 'yung kanilang ginagawang imbestigasyon and possibly 'yung prosecution,” he added.

(We just don't want to give details so as not to preempt their investigation and possibly the prosecution.)

On February 24, Samama was wounded when a suspected sniper shot him while he was giving a speech at a program in Barangay Magaslong.

According to the PNP, the vice mayor is already in a stable condition after sustaining a gunshot wound on his abdomen.

Garcia earlier condemned the attack against Samama, who is seeking reelection in the May 2025 elections. Samama is also a former personnel of Comelec.

"We are so saddened and we accept this as an open challenge to us and other law enforcement authorities. Violence has no place in a civilized society," Garcia said.

The PNP earlier said that an armed group may be involved in Samama's shooting.

Considering that the shooter was outside the crowd and had an obstructed view, the police suspected that the gunman was a sniper.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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