A candidate for board member in the first district of Maguindanao del Sur survived an ambush that left him and his driver injured.

The incident happened on the national highway in Barangay Brar, Datu Anggal Midtimbang town afternoon on Sunday, April 13, 2025, while they were traveling from a proclamation rally in Datu Piang.

The candidate, Muhammad Utti Omar, known also as “Datu Baba,” sustained minor injuries but his driver was injured seriously.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office said the gunmen were on board a minivan with no plate.

Police said responding officers still managed to return fire during the incident, which prompted the suspects to pull back.

The victims’ vehicle was riddled with bullets. Up to 50 fired cartridges from an unidentified rifle were recovered from the crime scene.

Police are pursuing the suspects while investigation is ongoing to determine the motive.