Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — One of the suspects in the Lanao del Sur ambush that wounded the governor and killed four of his companions last Feb. 17 died in a shootout with authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.
The suspect — identified only as “Otin\” — was fatally shot in an armed encounter with local police, following pursuit operations conducted from Feb. 17 to 19, according to PNP.
Authorities said they recovered a pistol loaded with six live ammunition from Otin’s possession.
They also identified him as the son of another suspect with the alias “Fighter.”
Fighter and three other people believed to be behind the crime are still at large, the PNP said.
RELATED: Manhunt on for suspects behind Lanao del Sur gov ambush
Armed men attacked Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal \”Bombit\” Adiong Jr. and his convoy while they were passing through Sitio Landslide in Maguing town and headed toward the municipality of Wao.
Four of the governor’s police escorts were killed, while the official was hit in the waist and a member of his staff was shot in the feet.
Police have created a special task force to probe the attack and the motive behind it.
“We condemn this senseless act of violence against our public servants,” PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said in a statement.
“We assure the public that the PNP will exhaust all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,\” he also said.
\”We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims, and we will not rest until those responsible are held accountable for their actions,” he added.
Azurin also commended the composite police team that tracked Otin for a “successful pursuit operation.”
