COTABATO CITY – Police authorities, backed by military troops, have launched a manhunt against gunmen who ambushed and killed a vice mayor and his police escort in Barangay Pandan, South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, at about 5 p.m. on Friday.
Col. Roel Sermese, Maguindanao del Sur Police director, said the South Upi municipal police is pursuing several leads that could help identify and arrest the killers of Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and a bodyguard identified as Weng Marcos.
Also injured in the ambush were Benito’s wife, Analyn, and their 11-year-old child, all of Sitio Bahar, Barangay Pandan. Another child, aged 13, was unhurt.
The vice mayor’s wife is the chairperson of Barangay Pandan.
Capt. Amer Hussein Disomangcop, South Upi police chief, said the victims were on board a pick-up vehicle driven by the vice mayor heading for home in Barangay Pandan when waylaid by an undetermined number of gunmen.
Benito was killed on the spot while his bodyguard was pronounced dead at the hospital.
South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular condemned the ambush as a cowardly act.
“Our police authorities are closely conducting follow-up operations. Police have possible initial persons of interest,” he said in a phone interview on Saturday.
Soldiers from the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion are supporting the police in pursuing the perpetrators.
Local police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.
‘Strongly condemn’
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, condemned the ambush and ordered the Philippine National Police to work with the military to pursue and arrest the suspects and unmask the masterminds.
“We strongly condemn the ambush-slay of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Mayor Roldan M. Benito and one of his companions. We will do our utmost to seek justice for the victims. I express my deepest sympathies and prayers for the families of Vice Mayor Benito and Weng Marcos,” Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. said in a statement.
“We also appeal to the public to get in touch with the authorities if they have any information that can help in the quick resolution of this case.”
The Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region also extended its deepest condolences to the victims’ families, assuring the public that justice will be served and the perpetrators will be held accountable.
An investigation is underway to gather information and identify the individuals responsible for the crime. (With a report from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
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