ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Philippines — Police and military officials considered sending more troops to Lanao del Sur, particularly in the towns of Amai Manabilang and Maguing, where Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. was ambushed on Friday, which wounded the governor and left four persons, including his three police security details, dead.
Col. Billy dela Rosa, deputy commander of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City, said they were willing to extend troops support in Maguing and secure the town from armed groups.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officials, including Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, and the governor’s brother, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, noted in a press briefing on Sunday in Cagayan de Oro City the absence of government troops in the area where the governor was waylaid, making it easy for armed groups to stage the attack.
The governor’s convoy was traversing the road between Maguing and Amai Manabilang towns on their way to Wao town of Lanao del Sur when armed men opened fire at them at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Zia Alonto said his brother underwent a surgery on Friday night to remove the bullet that pierced through his right lower hip and was already in stable condition as of Saturday.
Those who died in the ambush were three of the governor’s security aides, who were all police officers, and his driver. The fatalities, who were all relatives of the governor, were S/Sgt. Mohamad Jurais Adiong, Cpl. Johaine Sumandar, Pat. Jalil Cosain and Hasanor Pundaodaya.
A soldier, Pfc. Gilbert Mananguite, who is also the governor’s security detail, and another staff at the provincial capitol, Ali Tibao, were injured.
Bangsamoro officials believed it was time to bring back the military troops in the area who were pulled out last year.