2 nephews of Maguindanao barangay bet wounded in ambush

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Philippines – Two persons were seriously wounded in an ambush by suspected partisan groups in a remote village in Barangay Mileb, Rajah Buayan town in Maguindanao, just as the barangay (village) elections were in progress.

Mayor Zamsamin Ampatuan of Rajah Buayan said the ambush happened at 10 a.m., Monday, about 200 meters away from Barangay Mileb Elementary School where voting was on going.

Critically wounded were Saudi Untong alias “Idol” and Nasser Malang, both nephews of a certain Datu Pingcol who was running for barangay chairman.

According to Ampatuan, some candidates, including Datu Pingcol, had an altercation inside the polling precinct. Pingcol called his nephews for reinforcement but they were ambushed along a dirt road leading to the voting center.

As of this posting, the victims are being treated at Maguindanao provincial hospital in nearby Shariff Aguak town.