South Upi Mayor and wife arrested for alleged role in vice mayor’s ambush-slay

DAVAO CITY (May 21) — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Reynalbert Insular and his wife, Janet, in connection with the August 2024 ambush that resulted in the deaths of Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his aide, Weng Marcos.

The couple was apprehended on May 20 in Barangay Making, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, based on arrest warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City. They face charges of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder.

The arrest was in connection with the  August 2, 2024, ambush in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan, South Upi, which killed  Vice Mayor Benito and his aide, while Benito’s wife, Analyn, a barangay chairperson, and their 11-year-old daughter sustained injuries.

CIDG Director Major General Nicolas Torre III stated, “This accomplishment underscores the CIDG’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation, filing airtight cases, and putting criminals behind bars, with the end goal of helping the victims and victims’ families attain the justice they deserved.”

In November 2024, the Special Investigation Task Group filed criminal complaints against 12 individuals, including the Insulars, for their alleged involvement in the ambush. The CIDG continues to urge the remaining suspects to surrender to authorities.

 Insular and his wife are currently detained at the CIDG custodial facility. Bail has been set at ₱200,000 for the frustrated murder charge and ₱120,000 for attempted murder; however, no bail is recommended for the murder charges.

The motive behind the ambush is still under investigation, but political rivalry is being considered a possible factor.