5 killed in Maguindanao ambush

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Investigators are still clueless on who could have perpetrated Monday’s fatal ambush in Datu Odin town of five people, including two women and a four-year-old child.

The five fatalities, among them Pinky Ayunan and her aunt, Lilang, were killed on the spot when gunmen shot their vehicle with assault rifles while at a secluded stretch of the Cotabato-Gen. Santos City Highway in Datu Odin town in Maguindanao.

Chief Inspector Lendsy Sinsuat of the Datu Odin municipal police said two other passengers of the car were wounded in the attack.

Sinsuat said the victims were on board a red Toyota Innova en route to Cotabato City from South Cotabato province when the suspects, riding a pick-up truck trailing behind, opened fire as they got close.

“The victims were on their way to Cotabato City,” Sinsuat said.

Sinsuat said probers are convinced the atrocity could be related to a rido (clan war) Cotabato City’s Ayunan clan is involved with.

He said investigators are still trying to establish the identities of the ambushers.