E-Paper
Sign In
Philippine mayor escapes ambush; 3 suspects killed, 2 bodyguards wounded
Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr has survived two attempts against his life in the last five years
- PUBLISHED: Sun 25 Jan 2026, 2:54 PM
A mayor in the Philippines escaped unharmed after gunmen ambushed his convoy on Sunday, January 25.
Police and soldiers killed three suspects who ambushed the mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, with a B40 anti-tank rocket and rifles, wounding two of his bodyguards.
Recommended For You
The suspects first attacked the convoy of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr and his companions on a street in Shariff Aguak, then escaped in a grey minivan, according to PNA. The three alleged ambushers were killed during a pursuit operation by a joint police-Army team.
“The mayor is safe,” Anwar Kuit Emblawa, the mayor’s executive assistant, told reporters here in a text message. He said Ampatuan was in his bulletproof black sports utility vehicle when attacked around 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion.
His backup vehicle, a pickup, was also hit by bullets.
Emblawa said the two security escorts sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated at Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center in Datu Hoffer.
The suspects were on board a white minivan when they carried out the ambush. Police found high-powered firearms in the vehicle.
Ampatuan has survived two attempts against his life in the last five years. The motive of the latest attack remained unknown as of posting time.
