Maranao woman killed, 4 wounded in Lanao del Sur ambush

COTABATO CITY — Gunmen killed a Maranao woman and wounded four others in an ambush in Barangay Bubongaranao, a hinterland village in the town of Calanogas, Lanao del Sur, on Thursday night, April 23.

Local executives and officials of the Calanogas Municipal Police Station told reporters on Friday, April 24, that the fatality, Main Diantapen, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.

The ambush also left four of her companions wounded, her relatives Asnil Diantapen and Asnawi Diantapen, and Abdullah and Sittie Aina Macadato, who are now confined in a hospital.

Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said the victims were traveling in a white pickup-type multicab on their way home when gunmen positioned along a stretch of highway in Barangay Bubongaranao opened fire with assault rifles as the vehicle approached.

Barangay officials and traditional Maranao leaders have identified four of the ten gunmen involved in the ambush, according to a police report submitted to PRO-BAR director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman.

The suspects, who fled before responding barangay officials and police officers arrived at the scene, are now the subject of an extensive manhunt by PRO-BAR units in Lanao del Sur and troops from the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade.