A brigade commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and his companion were killed after they were ambushed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur evening on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Police identified the victims as Hamsa Kindo alias “Commander Tuabak,” 46, commander of the 1st Brigade of the MILF 118th Base Command, and 44-year-old MILF member, Mohammad Acob.

According to the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, the victims had just left their camp in Barangay Kapinpilan and were on their way to Sitio Bliss near the national highway when they were waylaid by unidentified assailants.

“Lumalabas sa inisyal na pagsisiyasat natin na yun sila kumander ay galing sa kanilang kampo doon din sa Brgy. Kapinpilan, palabas sana papuntan doon sa Sitio Bliss sa harap ng national highway nang tambangan ito ng di pa kilala at di pa matukoy na bilang ng salarin  na nagresulta ng pagkamatay nitong ating dalawang biktima,” Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Capt. Guiseppe Tamayo, said.

During the incident, the victims’ vehicle, riddled with bullets, crashed into a tree.

The victims did not reach the hospital alive.

Authorities recovered two long firearms and ammunition from the crime scene.

Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.

Operatives are still pursuing the suspects, as of this writing.

“Kung sinuman ang may nalalamang impormasyon tungkol dito sa insidente, maaaring ipagbigay-alam lamang sa ating nearest police station or any government-concerned agency para ma-solve itong krimen na to at mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima,” Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the victims’ families and the MILF for a statement, as of this writing.