DAVAO CITY — Police authorities have identified ten (10) persons of interest in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. last Friday which killed four of his bodyguards.
Police investigations revealed, Adiong’s convoy was waylaid by still unidentified individuals as the governor was on his way to Wao to attend the town’s founding anniversary. Four of Adiong’s security escorts were killed on the spot.
The four police escorts were identified as Staff Sgt. Mohamad Juraij Adiong, Cpl. Johaine Sumander, Pat. Jalil Cosain, and the driver known only as “Kobi” Ali Tabao.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo announced on Saturday afternoon, February 18, that at least 10 suspects in the ambush have been identified but he did not reveal the identities of the suspects, but said, they are negotiating for their surrender.
Sinarimbo, however, revealed a motorcycle belonging to a “known personality” was found at the scene of the ambush on Friday night.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Adiong, the governor’s brother, said they are looking at all angles as possible motive “We are not turning stones unturned, we will wait for result of the investigation to get justice and know the motive of the ambush.”
Adiong earlier said his brother has no known political enemy and “Rido” or chan war is remote.
“We want to make sure that the real suspects would be punished,” Zia said.
Sinarimbo asked the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Lanao del Sur to assist in negotiating the surrender of the 10 suspects.
Butig Mayor and LMP Lanao del Sur President Dimnatang Pansar vowed full support to the investigation.
“We know who these suspects are. It would be better for them to surrender peacefully,” Sinarimbo said.- Bobby Lagsa
