Board Member candidate survives ambush in Maguindanao del Sur

DAVAO CITY (April 13) — Datu Baba Omar, a candidate for board member in the first district of Maguindanao del Sur, survived an ambush around 3:00 p.m. today while traveling home from a proclamation rally.​

Omar, who previously served as Vice Mayor of South Upi, recounted that he and his convoy were returning from Dulawan, Datu Piang, when they noticed a silver minivan parked along the national highway in Talayan town. As they approached, three individuals armed with long firearms opened fire on their vehicle.​

“We were immediately shot at on the side of the road. We were unarmed and couldn’t do anything,” Omar said. He added that the assailants used armalites in the attack.​

Omar suspects the attack was politically motivated, noting that he has no known personal enemies. He mentioned receiving reports about a silver minivan trailing him in recent days but couldn’t recall the license plate.​

Pandag Mayor Odjie Balaman shared a photo on social media confirming Omar’s safety. Omar’s driver, Abel Buisan, sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at a hospital.​

Authorities are investigating the incident. This event underscores the heightened tensions and potential dangers faced by political candidates in the region.