DILG orders manhunt vs ambushers of Lanao del Sur's Adiong

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct manhunt operations against the unidentified gunmen responsible for the ambush on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr.

“Mariin kong kinokondena ang ginawang pag-ambush kay Governor Bombit at sa kanyang mga kasamahan. Agad akong nagbigay ng direktiba sa PNP na magsagawa ng manhunt operations upang agad na mahuli ang mga suspek sa insidenteng ito,” Abalos said in a statement.

(I strongly condemn the ambush on Governor Bombit and his staff. I directed the PNP to conduct a manhunt operation to immediately capture the suspects behind this incident.)

Unidentified gunmen ambushed the convoy of Gov. Adiong on Friday afternoon as it passed Kalilangan, Bukidnon, wounding the local chief executive and a member of his staff. Three police officers — part of the governor's security detail —and one driver were killed. 

Abalos vowed justice for the victims of the ambush.

“Bagamat nakaligtas si Gov. Bombit, napakalungkot na nasawi ang ilan sa kanyang mga kasamahan sa insidente. Lubos kaming nakikidalamhati sa pamilya ng mga nasawi at asahan ninyo na hindi titigil ang ating kapulisan hanggang hindi nahuhuli at nabibilanggo ang mga suspek,” he said.

(Although the governor survived, I am very saddened that some of his staff were killed during the incident. We assure the families of the victims that our police force will not stop until the suspects are caught and imprisoned.)

“Ang buong puwersa ng ating kapulisan sa Lanao del Sur at sa mga karatig lugar ay kumikilos na sa mga oras na ito para agad na masukol ang mga responsable sa krimeng ito,” he added.

(Our entire police force in Lanao del Sur and neighboring areas are taking active steps to immediately arrest those responsible for this crime.)

The DILG Secretary also directed the PNP to coordinate with military units on the ground in tracking down the suspects.

Vice President Sara Duterte also condemned the incident.

“As a nation, we should collectively reject this cowardly act of violence and demand that the perpetrators are immediately brought to justice,” she said in a statement.

“I commiserate with the bereaved families of the four security escorts of Gov. Adiong who died in the ambush.”

Duterte also offered prayers for the speedy recovery of Adiong, who is Lakas-CMD vice president for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the other injured individuals.

Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa condemned the ambush.

"As a fellow Maranao and Mindanaoan, I condemn the ambush in Maguing, Lanao del Sur yesterday, 17 February 2023, that killed 4 and injured 2 people. Violence such as this does not achieve anything except to undermine our nation's quest for sustainable peace and stability, especially in Mindanao. I pray that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice," she said in a statement.

Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, the governor's brother, said he was already "out of danger.”

Adiong's convoy was en route to Wao, Lanao del Sur at 4 p.m. when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen. — DVM, GMA Integrated News