Politics, revenge among possible motives in Shariff Aguak mayor ambush —PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is looking at local political tensions and supposed revenge as possible motives behind the recent ambush targeting Shariff Aguak Mayor Adatu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan Sr.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said on Tuesday a special investigation task group (SITG) has been created to focus on the case.

“Ang una pong anggulo na tinignan po natin yung local tension po o hidwaan kaugnay ng lokal na politika na nag-resulta po sa pagha-hire ng mga gun for hire sa locality,” Tuaño told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(The first angle we looked at was the local tension or conflict related to local politics that resulted in the hiring of guns for hire in the locality.)

“Lumutang po yung possible anggulo ng retaliation na kung saan tinitignan po nila, bagamat hindi ito ay hindi kumpirmado pa po, yun pong retaliation na kung saan ka-apelyido ng mga grupo ng suspek na deceased po ngayon, ay yun po nagkaroon po ng insidente na patayan,” he added.

(Although it is not yet confirmed, the possible angle of retaliation has surfaced, where some personalities with the same surname are involved in the incident.)

Security detail

Tuaño also addressed the claims of Ampatuan that he received threats after his security detail had been withdrawn prior to the ambush. 

Members of the SITG have been instructed to personally meet with the mayor to verify his claims and to assess possible persons of interest.

According to Tuaño, the latest attack marks the fourth ambush attempt against Ampatuan.

He cited previous incidents including a roadside bomb explosion in 2010, an ambush in 2014 injuring five people, another ambush in 2019 killing two people.

Alleged harassment incidents against the mayor were also reported in July and December 2025.

Authorities confirmed that rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) were used in the latest attack. 

Tuaño said investigators are still determining the source of these weapons and expressed hope that the SITG would release initial findings within the week.

The Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) is set to recommend the administrative relief of the Shariff Aguak chief of police due to possible security lapses in the town, according to the PNP official.

On Sunday morning, armed men ambushed the convoy of Ampatuan when he was on his way home. Though the mayor was unharmed, two of his security escorts were wounded in the firefight. 

All four suspects were killed in a hot pursuit operation after the ambush, the police said. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News