Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur – Mayor Akmad Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur escaped uninjured in an ambush on his two-vehicle convoy Sunday morning, but two of his escorts were hurt.
Three alleged ambushers were killed during a pursuit operation by a joint police-Army team.
“The mayor is safe,” Anwar Kuit Emblawa, the mayor’s executive assistant, told reporters here in a text message.
He said Ampatuan was in his bulletproof black sports utility vehicle when attacked around 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion. His backup vehicle, a pickup, was also hit by bullets.
Emblawa said the two security escorts sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated at Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center in Datu Hoffer.
The suspects were on board a white minivan when they carried out the ambush. Police found high-powered firearms in the vehicle.
Ampatuan has survived two attempts against his life in the last five years. The motive of the latest attack remained unknown as of posting time.
