Joint team probes Maguindanao del Sur vice mayor’s slay

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A joint team composed of police and military intelligence officers is investigating the fatal ambush of the vice mayor of South Upi town in Maguindanao del Sur and his security aide on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawhon, chief of the Bangsamoro police, and Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, yesterday said they tapped the help of local officials in identifying the people behind the murder of Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his bodyguard Weng Marcos.

The attack wounded Benito’s wife Analyn and a minor identified as Joseph Mutia. 

The victims were in a pick-up truck on their way to Barangay Pandan from the town proper when they were attacked by a group of armed men, who were apparently waiting for them to pass by.

Witnesses said Benito and Marcos managed to crawl out of the vehicle, but were shot multiple times before they could run away.