The Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed the town of Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur under its control due to the surge in election-related violence in the area ahead of the May 12 polls.

It is the second town placed under the control of the Comelec, less than one month before the May 2025 midterm elections. The first one, also located in the Maguindanao area, was in Datu Odin Sinsuat, last April 5.

This followed Sunday's ambush of Muhammad Utti Omar, a candidate for provincial board member, and his driver, Abel Bunsalagat Buisan in Midtimbang.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia also called for the Philippine National Police to replace three ranking officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In a resolution, the Comelec recommended the relief of Bangsamoro Regional Police Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo Jr and Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Director Ryan Bobby Paloma. DMS