Vice mayor, aide killed in Maguindanao ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Unidentified gunmen killed a vice mayor and his security aide and wounded two others in an ambush on Friday in a hinterland barangay in South Upi town, Maguindanao del Norte.

Killed in the attack were South Upi Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his close-in security and nephew Weng Marcos, said Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Police director Col. Roel Sermese.

Sermese added that Benito's wife and Barangay Pandan chairwoman Analyn Benito and an 11-year-old relative were wounded and taken to a hospital.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos condemned the killing as he assured justice for the victims.

“We strongly condemn the ambush-slay of Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and one of his companions on Friday afternoon in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan. We will do our utmost to seek justice for the victims,” Abalos said in a statement.

“I have ordered the Philippine National Police to work with the military to pursue the suspects. They will leave no stone unturned until they have arrested them and unmasked the masterminds,” he added.

Abalos appealed “to the public to get in touch with authorities if they have any information that can help in the quick resolution of this case.”

According to reports, Benito was driving his pick-up truck on an unpaved road in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan when the gunmen, positioned on the roadside, opened fire.

Benito and Marcos died at the scene while his wife and an 11-year-old relative were hurt. Another relative, a 13-year-old, who was also in the vehicle emerged unscathed.

Police investigators are probing if the attack was conflict-related or connected with next year’s elections.

A joint police and military team, according to reports to Area Police Command-Western Mindanao director Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac, was also dispatched to pursue the gunmen who were said to have fled on foot after the incident.

South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular condemned the attack and vowed to assist the police in ensuring the assailants are arrested and brought to justice.

“This senseless act of violence against a committed public servant and his family has no place in our community and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Insular said in a statement.

Bangsamoro parliament member Froilyn Mendoza also issued a condemnation and called on the police and the military to track the killers. — John Unson, Emmanuel Tupas, Romina Cabrera