The Philippine Army has pledged support to the Philippine National Police in investigating a daylight ambush in Datu Saudi Ampatuan on Tuesday that left one dead and two others wounded.
“As to the part of the Philippine Army, we are always ready to support the PNP if needed,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard on Wednesday.
Police said the attack occurred around 11 a.m. Tuesday along a national highway when gunmen aboard a white minivan without license plates tailed and opened fire on a black Nissan Livina traveling from Cotabato City toward Shariff Aguak.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, identified the fatality as Datu Morsid Ampatuan, also known as “Gara,” a resident of Shariff Aguak and nephew of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr.
Gara Ampatuan was driving the vehicle at the time of the ambush.
Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Morsid managed to steer the vehicle toward Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, near an Army checkpoint, before being rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Injured in the attack were Yasser Ampatuan, 49, the mayor’s brother, and Lemon Bangen, 36, a resident of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan. Both are being treated at the Bangsamoro Regional Medical Center.
Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the ambush, which remains unclear.
The incident came weeks after Mayor Ampatuan survived a separate rocket-propelled grenade attack in Shariff Aguak on Jan. 25.
