Mayoralty aspirant killed in ambush

TACURONG CITY – A mayoralty aspirant and her driver-bodyguard were killed while her husband and another bodyguard were woun–ded when two men waylaid them in Sultan Kudarat yesterday morning.

Reports said Bai Huda Mangelen Salendab, a candidate of the pro-administration Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) for mayor of Paglat, a remote town in Maguindanao, was on her way to the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak town when her group was ambushed.

Salendab was killed together with her driver-bodyguard Oscar Salendab. Her husband, Datu Kagi Mastura Salendab, and bodyguard Abubakar Salendab were wounded in the attack.

Police said the Salendabs were ambushed by two motorcycle-riding men at about 8:25 a.m. yesterday as they were cruising the national highway in President Quirino town on board a Mazda car.

The four attackers were reportedly wearing Army uniforms. They fled toward Bulu–an town.

Police found several empty M-16 shells at the ambush scene.

Former Maguindanao second district congressman Guimid Matalam, a cousin of the Salendabs, believes that the ambush was politically motivated, saying that the slain Kampi mayoral bet was a "strong contender" in Paglat town.

Meanwhile, more than 200 politicians, among them reelectionist Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr., filled en masse yesterday their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for various local positions in the first-ever display of political solidarity among local leaders in the province’s 35-year history.

Nineteen of Ampatuan’s constituent-mayors are seeking reelection unopposed under the banner of the Lakas-CMD.

The filing of the COCs by Ampatuan, 22 mayors and aspirants for the municipal councils was witnessed by ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong.

Datumanong, who is also seeking reelection unopposed, chairs the Lakas-CMD committee for party coalitions, while Gov. Ampatuan is the party’s regional chairman.

The event was capped by the visit to the provincial capitol of Team Unity senatorial candidates Miguel Zubiri, Prospero Pichay, Luis "Chavit" Singson, and Cesar Montano. – With John Unson