Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 18) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct a manhunt operation to catch the suspects behind the recent ambush in Lanao del Sur, which left Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. injured and four of his aides killed.
This was after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos ordered the police to apprehend the perpetrators as quickly as possible.
“Mariin kong kinokondena ang ginawang pag-ambush kay Governor Bombit at sa kanyang mga kasamahan,” Abalos said. “Lubos kaming nakikidalamhati sa pamilya ng mga nasawi at asahan ninyo na hindi titigil ang ating kapulisan hanggang hindi nahuhuli at nabibilanggo ang mga suspek.”
[Translation: I strongly condemn the ambush of Governor Bombit and his colleagues… We deeply condole with the families of the victims and expect that our police force will not stop until the suspects are caught and jailed.]
Adiong and his convoy were reportedly passing Sitio Landslide and headed toward the municipality of Lao when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen.
The governor and a member of his staff were wounded and are now under treatment at a nearby hospital.
Four of his police escorts, however, were killed during the assault.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong – brother of injured Gov. Adiong – said they are not discounting the possibility that militant groups are involved in the incident.
“We don’t discount any possible motives here,” he said in a press conference on Saturday. “We want to look at all angles possible. We don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”
“This is the first time in the history of our province that an attempt on the life of a city governor happened,” he added.
In a statement, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim also condemned the ambush.
“This violence and act of lawlessness is reprehensible and has no place in the Bangsamoro Region,” he said. “The government of the day reaffirms our stand and solidarity against this culture of violence and impunity.”
BARMM Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, in a press conference, said the chief minister of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) already directed its members to fully cooperate in the investigation.
Senior commanders of the MILF and members of the peace mechanisms will convene tonight, Sinarimbo added.
Adiong’s family and Lanao del Sur officials are awaiting the results of the investigation.
