Philippine Town Mayor Escapes Ambush After Rocket-Propelled Grenade Attack
A mayor in the southern Philippines has narrowly survived a violent assassination attempt after
gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at his bulletproof vehicle, officials confirmed.
The attack marked yet another dangerous episode in the restive regionโs ongoing pattern of political violence.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning in the town of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur,
where Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan was returning home from a local market in his armored SUV.
Closed-circuit footage showed armed attackers emerging from a waiting minivan and launching an RPG directly at the mayorโs convoy.
Although the rocket struck the vehicle and caused a plume of smoke, the mayor was unharmed
thanks to the protective armor of his SUV.
Two members of his security detail were wounded during the ambush and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment;
both are now reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities responded quickly, with coordinated efforts among the Philippine National Police,
military units, and local community watch teams to pursue the attackers.
The chase ended in the neighboring barangay of Meta in Datu Unsay, where a brief gunfight
erupted between the suspects and responding officers.
By the end of the confrontation, three of the four suspected assailants were killed by police and military personnel.
Police have identified the attackers as armed men traveling in a gray or white minivan who used high-powered firearms during the assault.
Officials revealed that the suspects were wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases,
including murder and armed robbery,
suggesting the ambush may have been carried out by hired killers.
Mayor Ampatuan has faced repeated attempts on his life, with this incident being the fourth known assassination attempt against him in recent years.
The region has a long history of clan rivalries and political violence, and tensions often rise around election cycles.
Police have launched a Special Investigation Task Group to gather forensic evidence,
determine those responsible, and identify possible masterminds behind the attack.
Authorities stressed their commitment to pursuing justice and dismantling any networks involved in attacks against public officials.
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