Nephew of Maguindanao mayor slain in ambush, 2 others wounded
COTABATO CITY—Gunmen ambushed a vehicle in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, on Tuesday morning, killing one passenger and injuring two others, police said.
Captain Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, identified the fatality as Datu Morsid, alias “Gara,” a resident of Shariff Aguak. The injured were Lemon Angkad Bangen, 36, of Datu Hoffer, and Baganian Ampatuan, 49, also of Shariff Aguak.
Police said the victims had just left Barangay Salbu aboard a Nissan Livina and were heading to Barangay Kabengi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan when gunmen riding in a white minivan ambushed them along the national highway.
Probe
Despite the attack, the driver managed to steer the vehicle toward Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, just a few meters from an Army checkpoint.
The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Morsid was declared dead on arrival.
Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the ambush.
Shariff Aguak Secretary to the Mayor Anwar Emblawa said Morsid was a nephew of Shariff Aguak Mayor Mitra Ampatuan, while Baganian Ampatuan is the mayor’s younger brother.
