Maguindanao town councilor survives ambush, aide hurt

COTABATO CITY –– A town councilor of Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao and his companion survived an ambush Tuesday, August 6, in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Abdulwaris Zailon and his companion, Bayan Salik, were aboard a vehicle en route to Datu Salibo when motorcycle-riding gunmen fired at them as they reached Barangay Dapiawan of Datu Saudi Ampatuan around 2 p.m., said Police Lt. Col. Arnold Santiago, Maguindanao police director.

A police report said the suspects fled after firing five shots.

Zailon was unscathed, but Salik suffered bullet wounds, Santiago said.

Zailon is the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Datu Salibo and sits as an ex-officio member of the municipal council. Salik is his consultant.

Santiago said Salik was being treated in an undisclosed hospital.

Investigators see “rido” (family feud) as a possible motive of the attack.