The Philippine National Police (PNP) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have vowed swift action following the daring ambush on Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, January 25.
The attack, which went viral after CCTV footage showed one of the assailants firing a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), left two of the mayor’s security escorts injured. Ampatuan survived the assault.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said he has directed the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) to form a special investigation task group to identify not only the gunmen but also the masterminds behind the ambush.
“The PRO-BAR will pursue those responsible with full force. Those who believe they can hide behind hired gunmen are mistaken. The PNP will go after the masterminds and dismantle the entire network responsible for this attack,” Nartatez declared.
Police reported that all four suspects were killed during a hot pursuit along the national highway.
The gunmen, who were riding a white Suzuki minivan (KAO-9462), were found to be carrying high-powered firearms.
Meanwhile, Malacañang condemned the attack, with President Marcos ordering security agencies to act decisively to protect local officials and maintain peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), especially as elections draw near.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President immediately instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to respond. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla commended the prompt action of PRO-BAR. (Aaron Recuenco, Argyll Geducos)
