6 supporters of bet for ARMM gov hurt in ambush, says military

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—At least six supporters of a gubernatorial bet for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections were injured when the passenger van they were riding was ambushed by unidentified gunmen along the highway in Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao Sunday afternoon, the military reported Monday.

Col. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, commander of the Army’s First Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the victims, who joined the vehicle convoy of PDP-Laban gubernatorial contender Pax Mangudadatu in filing his certificate of candidacy, went home ahead for Isulan, Sultan Kudarat when fired upon in Barangay Iginagampong shortly before 5 p.m.

The wounded included Bai Wahida, wife of village chief Ismael Glat.

Dela Cruz said they were looking at “rido” (clan feud) and “politics” in connection with the ARMM polls in August as probable motives behind the attack.

Retired Police Supt. Akmad Mamalinta, Mangudadatu’s chief security officer, said the incident prompted the group to take the North Cotabato route.

Mangudadatu, former Sultan Kudarat governor and congressman, had just filed his COC along with running mate Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, President Aquino’s aunt-in-law.

The former Tarlac governor, accompanied by her husband Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco on Sunday, was saddened by the news, saying the perpetrators should be tracked down and prosecuted.

Dela Cruz said police and military forces have already been deployed to run after the assailants as he ordered his men to tighten the security along the national highway.