Guindulungan: Pursuit operations are ongoing for the armed men who killed a Muslim preacher and wounded seven others in an ambush in Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur, police said Tuesday. Capt. Giuseppe Tamayo, speaking for the Maguindanao del Sur police provincial office, confirmed the victims were traveling in a passenger van from Cotabato City to Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur, when they were ambushed in Barangay Bagan at around 7:30 p.m.
According to Philippines News Agency, the attack resulted in the death of Datu Masla Mamo, while seven of his relatives sustained injuries. The motive behind the ambush remains under investigation as authorities have yet to interview the survivors. Despite the assault, the driver successfully maneuvered the passenger van (MCV-4862) to Barangay Crossing Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, to request police assistance.
Scene of the crime operations personnel recovered over 50 empty shells for various firearm calibers from the ambush location. Police investigators are considering "rido" (family feud) involving the victims and attackers as a potential motive for the incident.
The Maguindanao police provincial office has enlisted the support of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade in their efforts to apprehend the suspects. The ambush took place during an election gun ban in Maguindanao del Sur, which is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), ahead of the regional parliamentary elections scheduled for October 13.
