The vice mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur was killed in an ambush on Friday afternoon, August 2.
Police identified the fatality as Roldan Benito.
BENITO (FB)
His nephew, who was a security aide, was also killed.
Benito's wife, the chairwoman of Barangay Pandan, South Upi, and one of their children, 11, were wounded. The other child, 13, was unharmed.
Investigation said the incident happened at 5 p.m. in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan, South Upi.
The victims were traveling in a mountainous area onboard a pickup truck when their vehicle was fired at by unidentified gunmen.
The perpetrators fled afterwards.
The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular condemned the ambush.
"The Police Regional Office-BAR extends our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. We assure the public that justice will be served, and the perpetrators will be held accountable," the PRO-BAR said.
Municipal police are conducting follow-up investigation and pursuing the suspects along with the 57th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.