ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – A fifth suspect in the Feb. 17 ambush of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. was killed in a shootout with authorities, police said on Thursday, March 30.
The wife of the group’s leader allegedly involved in the ambush was also captured during the clash that took place in Barangay Dilimbayan, Maguing, Lanao del Sur at about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29.
The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) said the firefight ensued after a team of police and military personnel launched an operation against the group of Lomala Baratamo Mandoc after a tip-off.
The slain suspect remains unidentified while the identity of Mandoc’s wife was withheld.
Police said two high-powered firearms belonging to the suspects were recovered after the shootout.
The slain suspect was the second to be neutralized by authorities in the ongoing operation against Mandoc’s group. The first was killed during a police operation last month.
On March 10, three other suspects were arrested in Barangay Ninoy Aquino, Kalilangan town, Bukidnon province.
Mandoc’s group is tagged as behind the ambush of Adiong’s convoy in Barangay Dilimbayan in Maguing.
Four of Adiong’s aides were killed while the governor and another staff were injured during the incident.