Maguindanao town mayor’s house strafed

MANILA, Philippines—Armed men strafed the home of a former Maguindanao town mayor late Thursday evening, but no one was hurt, police said Friday.

Inspector Marlon Silvestre, Shariff Aguak police chief, said about 20 gunmen attacked the home of former Datu Salibo Mayor Akmad Ampatuan around 11 p.m.

The suspects, allegedly armed with M16 riffles and grenade launcher, destroyed the walls of Akmad’s residence. There were, however, no casualties since nobody is occupying the house anymore.

“May caretaker na lang sila na naglilinis ng bahay from time to time,” Silvestre said, adding that they are looking at “vengeance” as motive behind the attack.

Thirty six empty shells from a M16 riffle were recovered from the crime scene, Silvestre said.

He said a similar attack against Ampatuan occurred last month.

Ampatuan went into hiding after being tagged in at least two massacre cases, including the 2008 Itaw Massacre where eight farmers in Shariff Aguak were allegedly killed.

Silvestre said Ampatuan, who is currently running for a mayoral post in the coming midterm elections, remains a subject of police manhunt operations.