The convoy of Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan, Sr. was ambushed in Barangay Poblacion, Maguindanao del Sur while he was on his way home around 6 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Ampatuan survived unscathed, but two of his security escorts were hit in the stomach and were brought to a hospital for treatment.

Three suspects were killed during hot pursuit on the same day.

“May follow-up vehicle, sakay doon ‘yung ilang mga security din ni mayor. ‘Yung mga security niya ay nakapag-retaliate sa mga suspek but dalawa sa securities niya ay wounded din kanina. Both ay may tama sa left side ng abdomen,” Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Spokesperson, Capt. Steffi Salanguit, said.

The suspects fled after the incident on board a minivan.

Authorities launched a hot pursuit, which resulted in the death of the three suspects in Datu Unsay town.

“May phone call from a concerned citizen na nag-inform na meron pong natagpuan na sasakyan doon sa area ng Datu Unsay. Then, before nagpunta doon ang mga personnel ng Datu Unsay MPS, they coordinated with the army to clear the area. Nung pumunta po sila doon to verify, nakita nila ‘yung van na sinasabing sakay ‘yung mga suspek sa ambush kay Mayor Ampatuan,” Salanguit added.

Police also recovered the minivan allegedly used by the suspects.

Authorities are still investigating the incident to determine the motive.

It was learned that the incident was the third attempt on the mayor’s life.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the mayor for a statement, as of this writing.

PRO-BAR condemned the attack, which involved excessive use of force as the assailants reportedly fired an RPG and high-powered firearms.