JOINT forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are pursuing the suspects in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. and his security escorts in Lanao del Sur that left four dead.
Killed in the attack were Police Staff Sgt. Mohammad Adiong, Cpl. Johani Sumandar, 39; Cpl. Jalil Coasin, 40; and their civilian driver identified only as “Kobi.” All were security escorts of Adiong.
SSgt. Adiong and Cpl. Coasin are both assigned at the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office headquarters while Sumandar is a member of the Marawi City Police Station.
The governor and his staff member, Ali Macapado Tabao, who were injured, were brought to a hospital in Kalilangan, Bukidnon for treatment.
The attack took place on a highway in Bgy. Dilimbayan in Maguing, Lanao del Sur around 4 p.m. Friday.
Unidentified suspects fired their automatic rifles at the two vehicles bearing the governor and his escorts who were then on their way to Wao municipality.
The motive and identities of the gunmen are still being investigated.
Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, brother of the injured governor, said the latter is already in “very stable condition.”
“He’s out of danger. We are heartbroken over the deaths of his security details, all of whom are family members who were with my brother during the violent attack. We offer our deepest sympathies to all of our bereaved loved ones,” the solon said.
The lawmaker urged authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
