The vice mayor of Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur was injured after he was shot while delivering a speech in Barangay Maguislang morning on Monday, February 24, 2025.

Datu Piang Vice Mayor Datu Omar Samama fell to the ground after he was shot while giving his speech during the Shine Convergence Program.

He was brought immediately to a lying-in clinic for immediate treatment and was transferred later to the Cotabato City Medical Center.

Authorities are pursuing the gunman, as of this writing.

The 6th Infantry Division said the suspect may have used a sniper rifle or a gun with silencer.

“Yan yung initial description ng mga andodoon sa area kasi malayo yung pinanggalingan, pero inaalam pa rin natin yung details kung malayo ba ang pinanggalingan o baka may silencer lang. So inaalam pa rin natin yan. We are still coordinating with our PNP counterpart,” 6ID Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has condemned the attack against the vice mayor calling it ‘senseless’ and ‘cowardly.’

In a statement, MILG said the shooting of Samama is an attack on peace, democracy, and the rule of law in the Bangsamoro.

“Such acts have no place in a society striving for justice, good governance, and meaningful change under the leadership of the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim,” the statement reads.

MILG has called on the law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The safety of our local officials and communities remains a top priority, and we will not allow violence and lawlessness to hinder the progress of the Bangsamoro region,” the statement added.