4 hurt in Maguindanao ambush — military

source: gmanews

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Four people were wounded Sunday when their vehicle was fired at by some unidentified men along the highway in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao province, a military official said.

Lt. Col. Mayoraldo dela Cruz, commander of the Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division, said the victims were the wife and relatives of Datu Kus Sangki, chairman of Barangay Kakal in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

He said the van was on its way to Tacurong City when fired at by still unidentified suspects along the highway in Barangay Iganagampong in Datu Unsay town.

“Even [when] the vehicle was hit, the driver sped up its accelerator until it reached Isulan provincial hospital where the injured passengers were treated," said Dela Cruz.

The attack, according to reports, happened two hours after former Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Mangudadatu filed his certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Election (Comelec) regional office in Cotabato City.

Maguindanao is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which is scheduled to have an election in August.

Investigators hinted that the van could have been mistaken as part of Mangudadatu’s convoy that joined him in filing his COC.

Maguindanao hit the headlines in November 2009 when 57 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in what is believed as the most heinous election-related violence in the country.

Among those killed were relatives and supporters of incumbent Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto" Mangudadatu, who was then vice mayor of Buluan town. Accused in the massacre were some members of the rival Ampatuan clan.

source: gmanews