12 ordered arrested for RPG attack on Maguindanao mayor

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Twelve people including a municipal mayor have been ordered arrested for alleged involvement in the ambush of the mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur in January.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) 10th Judicial Region Branch 1 based in Iligan City issued a warrant for the arrest of Mayor Andal Ampatuan V of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur and his alleged accomplices – Datuben Gayon, Johari Guiapal, Saudi Guiapal, Aboher Guimbangan, Soy Kali, Toraipie Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Samsudin Mokamad, Edad Pendatun, Ababang Salik, and Mohammad Shamron Sapalon.

Andal and his co-defendants were charged for violating Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and multiple frustrated murder.

RTC Judge Alberto Pantonial Quinto did not recommend bail for the temporary liberty of the suspects, who allegedly plotted the ambush on the convoy of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. on Jan. 25.

Video footage of a closed-circuit television camera installed in an establishment near the scene of the attack showed a man firing a rocket-propelled grenade, hitting the bullet-proof vehicle of Akmad.

Akmad was not harmed in the attack, but his two security escorts suffered injuries.

Three suspected gunmen were killed in a pursuit operation launched by police.

Andal is a son of Andal Ampatuan Jr., who was convicted for the Maguindanao massacre in November 2009, which left 58 people dead including journalists.