Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 17) — Ambushed Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. is on the road to recovery and hopes to return to work in two months, his son Vice Governor Khalid Adiong said.
In a chance interview with reporters on Thursday in Marawi City, the younger Adiong shared the update on his father one month since his convoy was ambushed on its way to the Municipality of Lao.
“Everyday, nagrerecover naman siya [he’s recovering]. Hopefully, by one to two months, makakabalik na si Gov. sa office [he’ll return to the office],” he said.
The attack left the elder Adiong and his staff injured, while four of his police escorts were killed.
The governor has since been discharged from the hospital but still experiences difficulty in walking, his son said.
The younger Adiong is currently the acting governor while his father continues to recover. He said work continues in the provincial government despite his father’s absence.
“Sa provincial government, as is pa rin,” he said. “Hindi naman dahil yun yung nangyari kay Gov. is mag-stop yung lahat ng services from the provincial government.”
“Ako as anak niya, mas lalong na-motivate dahil sa service niya sa province,” the younger Adong added. “Kahit sabi nga nila, buhay yung kapalit, tuloy pa rin yung serbisyo niya.”
[Translation: It’s status quo in the provincial government. Our services won’t stop just because that incident happened to the governor. As his son, I am even more motivated by his service to the province, even if his life is at risk.]
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said the shooting incident is considered solved, following the arrest of three suspects in Bukidnon.
The PNP said the arrested suspects are involved in the Gandawali group, which is engaged in various illegal activities like marijuana cultivation and robbery in various towns bordering Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon.
A day after the shooting, one of the suspects identified as “Otin” was fatally shot in an armed encounter with local police. The younger Adiong said the prime suspect is still on the loose.
“Siguro bilang isang anak, ang masasabi ko lang kung pwede sumuko ka na, kasi hindi po biro yung nangyari,” the vice governor said. “Buhay yung kinuha, at yung tangkang pagpatay sa aking ama, so may kabayaran po yan.”
“Yung AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), PNP hindi yan titigil hangga’t hindi nahuhuli kung sino ang may gumawa sa pag-ambush,” he also said.
[Translation: As his son, what I can say to the prime suspect is that he should surrender. You tried to kill my father, so you should pay for that. The AFP and PNP won’t stop until they catch the perpetrators.]
