CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The authorities are welcoming all the possible angles to identify the real motive on the ambush of Lanao del Sur governor Mamintal Adiong Jr along the provincial road of Barangay Bato Bato, in Maguing town on Friday, Feb. 17.
Adiong was wounded in the incident perpetrated by unidentified assailants but four of his companions, including three policemen, in the convoy were killed.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman ‘Zia’ Alonto Adiong, brother of Governor Adiong, cited an indication that ‘Rido’ might not be the motive as the wounded governor was riding in a non-bulletproof vehicle when the ambush happened.
“The governor was riding in a non-bulletproof vehicle; an indication and proof that we don’t have any rido,” said Rep. Adiong in a press conference in this city on Friday, Feb. 18.
“He’s comfortable moving around the province,” stressed Rep. Adiong.
“That’s an indication that he felt that he did not need to augment these security measures whenever he went around the province,” he added.
The location where the ambush happened is the usual route taken by the governor, Rep. Adiong said, as the area is the fastest route to travel from Marawi City to Davao or Bukidnon direction.
Police initial investigation disclosed that the convoy of Governor Adiong was traveling from Marawi City to Wao, Lanao del Sur when an unidentified number of assailants opened fire at the victims.
The governor was headed to Wao town to attend activities in celebration of the founding anniversary of the said town, Rep. Adiong said.
Police authorities identified the fatalities as Staff Sergeant Mohamad Juraij Adiong, Corporal Johaine Sumander, Patrolman Jalil Cosain, and the driver also known as ‘Kobi.’ The slain policemen were assigned from the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.
Rep. Adiong confirmed in a facebook post that Governor Adiong has undergone minor surgery on the lower abdomen at the right side to remove a bullet that hit him and he is now recuperating.
During the press conference, when asked if the said governor received threats particularly from the Dawlah-Islamiyah, Rep. Adiong did not directly answer but he pointed out that the said organization doesn’t pinpoint a specific individual.
“They are after changing the system. And so anybody who is connected in the government is their enemy,” Rep. Adiong said.
The Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region has already created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) with Colonel Robert Daculan, Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office director, as task force commander to conduct an in-depth investigation for speedy identification and arrest of the suspects.
Vice President Sara Duterte strongly condemned the ambush and sent her condolences to the bereaved families of the security escorts who died in the incident.
“As a nation, we should collectively reject this cowardly act of violence and demand that the perpetrators are immediately brought to justice,” the statement said.
As of this writing, the investigation is still ongoing and the families and relatives of the governor are still waiting for the result from the authorities.