Shariff Aguak mayor’s nephew killed, 2 others hurt in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

A nephew of Shariff Aguak Mayor Adatu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan Sr. was killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Tuesday.

Two persons were also wounded in the ambush including the younger brother of the mayor identified as Yasser, as well as a certain “Lemon,” based on a report from the Maguindanao del Sur Police.

The shooting happened around 11:03 a.m. along a portion of the national highway between Sitio Panang in Barangay Kabengi and Barangay Salbu. 

Initial investigation showed the victims were traveling aboard a vehicle when they were allegedly tailed by a white minivan without license plates.

Police said the perpetrators attempted to overtake the victims’ vehicle before opening fire. The attackers then fled toward an unknown direction after the shooting.

The victims were rushed to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital for treatment.

A hot pursuit operation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the personalities behind the attack, according to police.

On January 25, armed men also ambushed the convoy of Shariff Aguak mayor Ampatuan using a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).

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, according to the police. —RF, GMA Integrated News