ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A 37-year-old councilor from Kadayangan, a newly formed town in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), was shot dead on July 16 by motorcycle-riding gunmen during the first day of a regional election gun ban. Councilor Nasser Alipolo Dalandang was killed while waiting for his wife at a pharmacy in Barangay Salunayan, where attackers fired multiple rounds through his Toyota Hilux’s driver’s window. The attack occurred hours after regional police established checkpoints to enforce the Comelec-mandated weapon restrictions ahead of the September 14 BARMM parliamentary elections.
The killing took place along a national highway in Barangay Salunayan, a location previously marked by high-profile ambushes targeting BARMM officials. Dalandang’s vehicle was struck as he waited for his wife, who was buying medicine. Soldiers nearby transported him to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival due to critical chest wounds. Authorities recovered spent .45-caliber shells at the scene, which will undergo ballistic testing.
Context of the Attack
Kadayangan, a town still establishing institutional stability, faces heightened risks as the BARMM prepares for its first parliamentary elections. The assassination directly challenges the region’s security framework, which had recently deployed checkpoints to curb violence. Midsayap police chief Lieutenant Colonel Rey Salgado condemned the attack and ordered surveillance footage recovery from nearby businesses. Investigators are examining whether a clan feud or “rido” (local conflict) triggered the killing.
Implications for Regional Security
Barangay Salunayan, a known flashpoint, has seen similar attacks on local officials, raising concerns about escalating violence ahead of the September polls. Residents have urged the national government to deploy additional military forces to counter active partisan armed groups, though no such measures have been confirmed.
What May Happen Next
Investigators are likely to focus on ballistic evidence and surveillance footage to trace the attackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the attack on Councilor Dalandang? Authorities are investigating whether a clan feud or “rido” was involved, but no definitive cause has been established.
When is the next BARMM parliamentary election? The election is scheduled for September 14, following the implementation of a regional gun ban on July 16.
Why is Kadayangan considered vulnerable? The town is newly formed and still building institutional stability, making it susceptible to security challenges and political instability.
How might this attack influence voter turnout in the upcoming BARMM elections?