A mayor in Maguindanao del Sur and his wife were arrested for their alleged involvement in the 2024 ambush that killed the vice mayor of South Upi town and his aide.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the couple were arrested by virtue of a warrant for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder issued by a court in Cotabato City on May 19, 2025.

CIDG said that based on reports, South Upi Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his security aide were killed in an ambush in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan on August 2, 2024. Benito’s wife and their 11-year-old child were also injured during the gun attack.

CIDG added that the special investigation task group (SITG) filed criminal complaints against 12 people, including the mayor and his wife, for their alleged involvement as alleged “masterminds” behind the ambush.

“This accomplishment underscores the CIDG's commitment in conducting a thorough investigation, filing of airtight case, and putting criminals behind bars, with the end view of helping the victims and victims’ family attain the justice they deserved,” CIDG said.

"Rest assured that your CIDG is relentless in its fight against wanted persons and fugitives and steadfast in implementing the law. We urge the other accused to surrender to the CIDG and/or other authorities,” CIDG Director, Major General Nicolas Torre III, added.