3 gunmen killed in mayor’s ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Pursuing policemen and soldiers killed three gunmen who fired a B40 anti-tank rocket at the vehicle of Shariff Aguak town Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. early yesterday.

The attack wounded two of Ampatuan’s bodyguards – PFC Manuel Dondiego of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion and civilian guard Lakman Eso Tips.

Emergency responders rushed the two to the Bangsamoro Regional Hospital for treatment.

Ampatuan was wounded in a similar attack more than a decade ago along the Cotabato-Isulan Highway, while on his way to Cotabato City from Shariff Aguak.

In yesterday’s attack, initial investigation showed that the gunmen fired their weapons and launched an anti-tank rocket at the mayor’s convoy as it was passing through a busy street in Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur.

The attackers reportedly escaped using a gray getaway minivan.

Responding police, soldiers and village watchmen cornered them in Barangay Meta in nearby Datu Unsay town.

According to reports, the gunmen resisted arrest and opened fire at the pursuing law enforcers. 

Local authorities identified the three slain attackers as Budtong Alim Pendatun, Tekz Malid Pendatun and Puasa Oting Madid.

All three died at the scene.