Combat-ready cops deployed in ARMM after Lanao mayor's ambush

CAMP S.K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Philippines  – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police yesterday fielded dozens of combat-ready policemen in strategic areas in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur following Friday’s fatal ambush there of a mayor seeking re-election in a special elections in the area on Nov. 6.

Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, director of the ARMM police, said they have also sent emissaries to the relatives of the slain politician, Alimatar Guro Alim, not to retaliate and instead allow investigators to build up an airtight case against the ambushers.

Alim’s escorts, Khalid Taher, Jalani Alicasim and Asrin Sampao, were seriously wounded in the attack.

Relatives of Alim said they are convinced the killing of the former mayor could be politically-motivated.

Alim’s rival, Alver Balindong, was proclaimed winner in the May 10 mayoral race in Tugaya, but the re-electionist mayor filed an election protest and the Commission on Elections declared a failure of elections in the area.

The poll body nullified the results of the polls and set a special election on Nov. 6.

Alim and the other victims were on board a maroon Mitsubishi Pajero (ALM-444) when the still unidentified suspects ambushed them at around 7 a.m. at Barangay Dilimbayan in Tugaya.

The victims were on their way to Barangay Poonain Tugaya to pray for Eid’l Fitr when they were attacked.

“We have asked the relatives of the slain political leader not put the law into their hands to prevent any escalation of hostilities in the area,” Latag said.

Latag said the acting governor of ARMM, Ansarudin Adiong, himself a native of Lanao del Sur, has sent religious leaders to pacify the relatives of Alim.

Lanao del Sur is known for dozens of  or violent clan wars involving political clans that are known for their strong culture of stockpiling military-type handguns and assault rifles both as status symbol and as protection against enemy factions.

Latag said investigators are now doing their best to determine the identities of the gunmen that ambushed and killed Alim.