Maguindanao Mayor Survives RPG Ambush, Three Assailants Killed in Police Pursuit
Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan Sr. miraculously survived a brazen early morning ambush on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when unidentified gunmen attacked his convoy with a rocket-propelled grenade and high-powered firearms. The violent incident occurred in Barangay Poblacion, Maguindanao del Sur, marking the third assassination attempt against the mayor in recent years.
Details of the Violent Attack
The assault unfolded around 6:30 a.m. along Maguindanao Street as Mayor Ampatuan was returning home from the local market in his bullet-proof SUV. According to official reports, armed men disembarked from a waiting minivan before launching their coordinated attack. Closed circuit television footage obtained by authorities captured the moment when the assailants initiated their assault.
Despite the RPG blast directly hitting the mayor's vehicle and sustained heavy gunfire, Ampatuan emerged completely uninjured from the harrowing experience. However, two members of his security detail sustained wounds during the violent exchange. The attackers quickly fled the scene in a gray or white minivan, prompting immediate response from law enforcement agencies.
Police Response and Fatal Confrontation
Following the ambush, combined police, military, and community watch forces launched an aggressive hot pursuit operation targeting the fleeing attackers. The pursuit led authorities to Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, where the gunmen engaged pursuing forces in a brief but intense gunfight.
During the confrontation, three gunmen were killed, and their vehicle was successfully recovered by authorities. Police investigators are currently working to establish the identities of the deceased assailants and determine the precise motives behind the attack. Initial investigations suggest possible connections to political rivalry or longstanding clan conflicts that have historically shaped Maguindanao del Sur's security landscape.
Historical Context and Political Significance
Mayor Ampatuan belongs to the influential Ampatuan political clan in Maguindanao, a family name historically linked to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre—the deadliest election-related violence in Philippine history. This latest attack represents the third known attempt on the mayor's life, highlighting persistent security challenges in the region.
Official Statements and Investigation
In response to the incident, Philippine National Police acting chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that a thorough investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the mastermind behind the ambush. Nartatez confirmed the formation of a Special Investigation Task Group that will gather forensic evidence from the recovered vehicle and firearms to build a strong legal case against those responsible.
The police chief issued a stern warning: "The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will pursue those responsible with full force. Those who believe they can hide behind hired gunmen are mistaken. The PNP will go after the masterminds and dismantle the entire network responsible for this attack."
Nartatez further directed PRO-BAR to intensify campaigns against loose firearms across the region to prevent similar attacks and ensure public safety. He emphasized, "We will not allow the province to become a 'Wild West.' I want a 24/7 visible police presence. We will dismantle the networks that provide these gunmen with high-powered firearms."
The top police official reiterated the PNP's firm stance against political violence, warning individuals attempting to destabilize the region. "The PNP will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials, and we will ensure that justice is served," Nartatez added, underscoring the government's commitment to maintaining law and order in the troubled province.
