Cotabato City, BARMM, Philippines — In a concerning development amid heightened political tensions, unidentified individuals targeted the residence of Uztadz Hisham Nando, a vice gubernatorial candidate in Maguindanao del Sur, with an explosive device on Sunday night. The incident occurred in Buluan town, in front of the gate to the candidate’s residential compound, though fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Police Lieutenant Dean Carlo Macusi, chief of the Buluan municipal police station, confirmed the explosion took place around 9 p.m. and noted that it might have been caused by a rifle grenade fired from a distance. Despite the presence of bomb experts investigating the attack, no group or individual has yet claimed responsibility.
Uztadz Hisham Nando, an Islamic cleric and a candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), which is aligned with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was unharmed during the attack, as were his family and security personnel. The UBJP has strongly condemned the incident, attributing it to political harassment intended to intimidate and disrupt the electoral process.
The town of Buluan, currently under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to intense political rivalries and recent violent incidents, has seen increased military and police presence, aimed at maintaining peace during the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.
This explosion is part of a series of violent acts in the area, following multiple explosive incidents on April 18, one of which damaged property within the municipal compound. The Comelec’s decision to place Buluan under its control reflects the region’s volatility, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring a safe and fair electoral environment.
Security forces continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, urging the public to remain vigilant while the electoral process unfolds in this politically charged atmosphere.
