THE police in Maguindanao del Sur are searching for four suspects who ambushed and injured a local political candidate and his driver Sunday afternoon in Datu Anggal Midtimbang town.
Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma, Maguindanao del Sur provincial police director, said his men and troopers of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division have launched manhunt operations after Muhammad Utti Omar, a candidate for provincial board member, and his driver, Abel Bunsalagat Buisan, 31, were attacked around 3 p.m. in Barangay Brar.
Paloma said policemen led by Maj. Zulkarnain Kunakon, Datu Anggal Midtimbang police chief, responded quickly, preventing further harm to Omar, also known as “Datu Baba,” 49. A brief firefight occurred before the attackers fled, Paloma said.
Omar, a former vice mayor of South Upi town running under Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu’s ticket for a seat representing the first district, sustained bruises. Buisan, of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, was seriously injured.