Mangudadatu supporters attacked

MANILA, Philippines - Seven supporters of a gubernatorial candidate in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were injured after they were allegedly attacked by a group of armed men in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao last Sunday night.

Police said the victims, who suffered minor injuries, were immediately taken to Sultan Kudarat Hospital for treatment. They were reportedly supporters of former Sultan Kudarat governor Pakung “Pax” Mangudadatu, who is running for ARMM gubernatorial elections on Aug. 8. Mangudadatu had also served as a representative of Sultan Kudarat.

Pax Mangudadatu is an uncle of Maguindanao Gov. Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, whose wife and several relatives were among those killed in the gruesome murder of 57 persons in Maguin­danao last Nov. 23, 2009. Most of the victims were members of the media.

Military and police authorities have yet to disclose the motive behind the attack that took place at around 5:30 p.m. last Sunday at the vicinity of Barangay Iguina Gampong, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.

Maguindanao provincial police director Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac said they are looking into politics and rido or clan war as two possible motives in the attack.

Pintac identified the wounded victims as Wahid Kila Tagtagan, Aladdin Maligis, Salahudin Labnan, Norrudin Tuti Lindangan, Nasurdin Mawalangis, Tingco Abdul Lapit and Ismael Pulalon.

ARMM police director Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag said it would be too early to tell whether or not the attack was related to the regional elections on Aug. 8.

Latag said the victims’ vehicle was traversing the Cotabato City-Shariff Aguak route heading towards Isulan, Sultan Kudarat when still unidentified armed men peppered them with bullets.

He said Mangudadatu filed his certificate of candidacy for ARMM governor along with former Tarlac governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, aunt of President Aquino, as his vice governor. The tandem is running under the PDP-Laban banner.

Latag said they could not yet finalize the security assessment since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) extended the deadline for the filing of COCs until May 25.

Meanwhile, some Mindanao-based Catholic bishops expressed apprehension that chaos might break out if the elections would be postponed.

Prelature of Isabela, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad and Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos told the Church-run Radio Veritas that they have been receiving information that some sectors in the region want the elections to push through.

“There are a lot of people who are waiting for the ARMM election. We cannot afford to postpone it. There would be war here if they would not push through with the elections,” said Bishop Pueblos.

Bishop Jumoad added that the uncertainty of election in the area is already creating tension because there are already sectors who are opposing the deferment of the political exercise and that President Aquino should not block it.

If the election pushes through, the Basilan prelate hinted on the need to beef up the police visibility in the area to avoid the possible outbreak of chaos.

– With Evelyn Macairan