Suspect in slay of Ampatuan cop chief, escort falls

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A suspect in the killing of the police chief of Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur in August 2022 has been arrested.

Kamid Asam, who is wanted for various cases, was apprehended in a hospital in Midsayap, Cotabato.

Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police chief, said members of the police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in BARMM conducted the operation.

Authorities said they received reports that Asam was confined at the Aniceto Pesante Memorial Hospital after his foot was amputated due to diabetes-related complications.

Asam was among 10 men tagged in the ambush that killed Lt. Reynaldo Samson and his escort Cpl. Salipudin Endab.

Four other police officers were wounded.