BAYANG, Lanao del Sur – A councilor candidate and his brother, an incumbent barangay chairman, were killed in a brazen ambush on Monday morning, May 12, casting a dark shadow over the Eleksyon 2025 in Lanao del Sur.
Afganie Balt Taha, a councilor candidate for Bayang, and his brother Walid, barangay chair of Sumbag, were gunned down while en route to a polling precinct.
The attack occurred as the Taha brothers traveled to Mauyag Papandayan National High School in Barangay Rinabor, Bayang. Gunmen positioned along their route opened fire on their vehicle. Both victims were declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.
The Taha siblings belonged to a prominent Maranao clan with a history of longstanding political feuds. Relatives have expressed their belief that political rivals were responsible for the ambush.
Officials from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, have confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway.
The killings highlight the persistent challenges of election-related violence in certain parts of the country.
metrosundaily
