Court orders arrest of Maguindanao del Sur mayor over ambush

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (September 27) — The Iligan City Regional Trial Court Branch 1 has issued arrest warrants against 12 individuals, including Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Datu Andal “Xyril” Ampatuan V, in connection with the January ambush of Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan Sr.

The 12 are facing four counts of frustrated murder and charges under Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, including terrorism, planning and facilitating terrorism, and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

The other individuals named in the warrants are Ababang Salik, also known as Babang; Edad Pendatun, also known as Haider; Aboher K. Guimbangan; Toraipie A. Lusod; Gapor Magaluyan; Mohammad Shamron Uday Sapalon, also known as Tho Sapalon; Samsudin K. Mokamad; Saudi M. Guiapal; Johari M. Guiapal; Soy Kali; and Datuben Gayon, also known as Datu Ben A. Alib.

The warrants stem from the January 25, 2026 ambush of Mayor Ampatuan Sr.

The mayor was traveling with his security personnel when unidentified gunmen attacked his convoy with a rocket-propelled grenade and high-powered firearms in an early-morning assault.

Ampatuan Sr. survived the attack, but two members of his security detail were wounded.

Police later killed three alleged suspects during a hot-pursuit operation following the ambush.

Political-family connection

The case also brings together two branches of a prominent Maguindanao political family whose names have figured prominently in the region’s violent political history.

Ampatuan Sr. is a cousin of former Datu Unsay Mayor Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr., who was convicted in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The younger Ampatuan, Mayor Datu Andal “Xyril” Ampatuan V, is the son of Ampatuan Jr.

Ampatuan Sr. was also a key prosecution witness in the Maguindanao massacre case that resulted in the conviction of Ampatuan Jr.

The latest arrest warrants, however, concern the January 2026 attack and the charges filed in connection with that incident.

The issuance of the warrants means the named individuals are now subject to arrest and court proceedings. The charges remain allegations unless and until proven in court.