Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3WHTskTQPJE" title="Shariff Aguak mayor nakaligtas sa pananambang | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>MANILA — Police are looking into the possibility that the attackers who ambushed a Maguindanao del Sur town mayor were hired gunmen, an official said Monday, noting that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been created to probe the case.PBGen. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the Philippine National Police Public Information Office, said the SITG was formed to gather forensic evidence and firearms to build a strong case against those responsible for the attack.He added that police units in the Bangsamoro region were directed to identify and arrest the mastermind behind the attack, as ordered by PNP Chief LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.“‘Yong motibo sir, ine-establish po nila ngayon — ang tinitingnan po nila, ang sini-zeroin po ng SITG today ‘yong possible hiring po ng gunman,” Tuaño said.“Ang sabi po ng ating PRO BAR (Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region), kumukuha sila ng mga ebidensya kung ito’y mga hired killer,” he continued.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/25/shariff-aguak-mayor-nakaligtas-sa-pananambang-1701">Shariff Aguak mayor nakaligtas sa pananambang</a></div>On Sunday morning, armed men ambushed the convoy of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan along the road of Barangay Poblacion while he was on his way home.Though the mayor was unharmed, two of his security escorts were wounded in the firefight.Three of the suspects were killed, while police are still chasing the driver.One of the slain suspects, identified as alias Raprap, had three outstanding warrants of arrest for murder, robbery, and violation of the 2023 election gun ban, according to Tuaño.The official said Raprap was seen attacking Ampatuan’s convoy with what appeared to be a rocket-propelled grenade. The other suspects were Raprap’s uncle and cousin, while their driver was his sibling.“Ang ine-establish po natin ngayon, ang motibo initially po ay tinitingnan kung ito po ay gun-for-hire na kung saan ginagamit ni alyas Raprap ‘yong kanyang mga kamag-anak,” Tuaño said.Tuaño said police are also assessing whether there were security lapses on the part of local stations, noting that this was already the fourth attempt to supposedly assassinate Ampatuan.The Bangsamoro police has been directed to intensify the campaign against loose firearms across the region to prevent similar attacks and ensure public safety.Meanwhile, Malacañang condemned the assassination attempt.   “Kinokondena po ng Pangulo ang nangyaring iyan,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace press briefing, noting that the Commander-in-Chief has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to immediately look into the incident.“Mananatili po na palalawigin ng DILG at ng pamahalaang ito ang peace and order,” she said.“Doon sa ating mga kababayan diyan, kung mayroon po kayong nakikitang kakaibang aksiyon, kahina-hinala ay ipagbigay-alam lamang po kaagad sa mga awtoridad para po mas mabigyan pa po kayo ng karampatang proteksiyon,” she added.— With a report from Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

Police are looking into the possibility that the attackers who ambushed a Maguindanao del Sur town mayor were hired gunmen, an official said Monday, noting that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been created to probe the case.

Police are looking into the possibility that the attackers who ambushed a Maguindanao del Sur town mayor were hired gunmen, an official said Monday, noting that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been created to probe the case.

Police probing gun-for-hire angle in ambush of Maguindanao del Sur mayor

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Regions

Police probing gun-for-hire angle in ambush of Maguindanao del Sur mayor

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 26, 2026 01:37 PM PHT

|

Updated January 26, 2026 02:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Maguindanao del Sur

PNP

ambush

Bangsamoro

Shariff Aguak

Akmad Mitra Ampatuan

SITG

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.