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Provincial board candidate, driver hurt in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

Philippines | Luzon

Provincial board candidate, driver hurt in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

A candidate for provincial board member and his driver were wounded in an ambush in Datu Anggal Midtimbang town, Maguindanao del Sur province on Sunday afternoon.

DATU ANGGAL MAGTIMBANG.jpg

DATU Anggal Midtimbang municipal compound. (Wikipedia)

Police are conducting a manhunt against the four gunmen of Muhammad Utti Omar, 49, alias Datu Baba, and his driver, Abel Bunsalagat Buisan, 31, in Barangay Brar.

Police Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma, Maguindanao del Sur police chief, said police and soldiers responded quickly and prevented further harm to Omar.

Paloma said a brief exchange of gunfire occurred before the attackers fled.

Omar sustained bruises and Buisan, of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, suffered serious injuries.

Investigation said three men armed with M16 rifles alighted and opened fire at Omar's Toyota Innova. Buisan was wounded and continued driving until they reached a police checkpoint.

Police said Omar’s four other companions in the vehicle were unharmed.

Omar was former vice mayor of South Upi town running under Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu's ticket representing the first district.

Omar was traveling to South Upi after attending a campaign rally in Datu Piang when he was ambushed.

He said he will continue his candidacy despite the attack.

Police are investigating the motive and identifying the gunmen.

Related Tags

Ambush Maguindanao del Sur Datu Anggal Midtimbang 2025 local elections

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