Maguindanao governor Mangudadatu, soldiers survive attack

DAVAO CITY – Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu survived an attack in Datu Salibo town on Wednesday morning.

Mangudadatu was onboard one of four airboats when the attack happened near Barangay Tee at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

“There were sniper shots,” Mangudadatu told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

The governor and 40 others, including top military officials in the the region, were on their way to Barangay Tee to raise the Philippine flag in a school that was earlier occupied by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels.

Government troops recently recovered the school from rebel occupation.

“We also went there to conduct a medical mission,” Mangudadatu said.

No one was hurt.

Despite the attack, Mangudadatu said they still pushed through with the flag-raising and medical mission.

If they did not do so, Mangudadatu said, “They (rebels) might claim we are afraid of them.”  SFM