THE Hakbang ng Maisug-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) has condemned the ambush that resulted in the deaths of Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer Bai Maceda Lidasan and her husband, Datu Jojo Abo, on Wednesday morning, March 26, 2025, in Barangay Makir, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
In a statement, the group decried the violence as “a direct assault on democracy, justice, and the rule of law” in the Bangsamoro region.
According to Maguindanao Provincial Election Supervisor, lawyer Mohammad Nabil Mutia, Lidasan and her husband were on their way to the office in Barangay Dalican when they were ambushed along the national highway in Barangay Makir. Lidasan sustained injuries in the attack but was able to be rushed to a hospital in Cotabato City. Unfortunately, her husband died from his injuries while undergoing medical treatment.
The group also pointed out the tragic incident as yet another sign of the deteriorating peace and security in the region. They expressed outrage over the rising violence in the Muslim Region, citing reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) which reveal an average of two killings per day.
“Where is the justice? Where is the peace we’ve been promised?” the group lamented. “Our people are being murdered in cold blood, and the government has failed to take concrete action. Enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, they also called for swift justice for the slain couple, urging that the perpetrators be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They also stressed the need for accountability from those who enable or turn a blind eye to such violence.
“Those who enable such violence — whether through indifference, complicity, or abuse of authority — must also be held accountable. Transparency, Accountability, Peace, and Security (TAPS) are not mere slogans; they are the foundation of a just society, and we will not rest until they are realized,” a portion of the group’s message said.
Following the incident, a follow-up operation has been launched by the authorities, with all access points to and from Datu Odin Sinsuat now closed off. The Bangsamoro authorities are closely monitoring to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
The Commission on Elections central office has announced that it will recommend placing Datu Odin Sinsuat under Comelec control ahead of the May 12 midterm elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia revealed plans to propose this measure to the commission en banc.
Under Comelec control, the commission would have full authority over the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units in the area to restore peace and security. DEF