Election officer and husband killed in Maguindanao ambush

In a daylight ambush on Wednesday, Bai Maceda Lidasan Abo, the municipal election officer of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, and her husband were killed. They were attacked while driving on a national highway. Abo’s husband was declared dead at a hospital, while she died later. Provincial election supervisor Mohammad Nabil Mutia condemned the attack, describing Abo as a dedicated public servant. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers, sealing entry and exit points in the area. Datu Odin Sinsuat is categorized as high-risk for violence during elections. The Commission on Elections chair, George Erwin Garcia, expressed sadness over Abo’s death and emphasized the need for security measures. He announced plans to recommend that the election body take control of Datu Odin Sinsuat to ensure a safer election process. The violence raises concerns as the campaign for local elections starts soon. Recently, other election-related attacks have occurred in the area, prompting local leaders to urge community cooperation with authorities to enhance safety.