All Philippine Army units based in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur have been placed on alert to avert possible escalation and spillover of violence following an ambush of a candidate and his supporters.
Thirteen political supporters of a town mayor were killed while eight others, including the mayor, were wounded when gunmen believed to be allied with opposing party staged an ambush Thursday evening in Barangay Malaig, Nunungan, Lanao del Norte.
Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, newly-installed commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said Saturday he has ordered all the units under his command to undertake preemptive measures to prevent escalation and spillover of violence in their areas.
Among the preemptive measures ordered by Lucero is the conduct of surprise checkpoints in strategic areas and strict implementation of the election gun ban.
Both the military and police authorities believe the motive behind the ambush is family feud aggravated by intense political rivalry.
Lucero said they have initiated late last year peace covenant which broke down during the campaign period.
The party of Nunungan Mayor Abdulmalik Manamparan were aboard a convoy of vehicles on their way to Barangat Poblacion from a political rally in Barangay Malaig when they were ambushed.
One of the 13 fatalities was Adnanie Manamparan, the 32-year-old daughter of the mayor.
Mayor Manamparan, who is in his last term of office, is seeking election for vice-mayor, while his son Dondon, is running for mayor.
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