The mayor of Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday morning escaped a third assassination attempt.
The ambush on Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan led to a shootout where three of the gunmen were killed and two of his security escorts were wounded.
Police said the attack happened at approximately 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion. Ampatuan was in his bulletproof SUV when the unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle and on his security detail’s backup pickup truck.
“The mayor is safe,” confirmed Anwar Emblawa, Ampatuan’s executive assistant, noting that the mayor’s armored vehicle provided critical protection during the volley of gunfire.
The two wounded escorts were transported to the Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center in Datu Hoffer for treatment.
Immediately following the ambush, a joint force of police and military personnel launched a pursuit operation.
Authorities intercepted the suspects’ getaway vehicle, a white minivan, resulting in a secondary firefight. All three occupants of the minivan were killed.
Security forces recovered several high-powered firearms from the scene.
This incident marks the third attempt on Mayor Ampatuan’s life since 2021.
Local police are currently investigating the motive behind the attack and checking for any additional accomplices.