A candidate for the provincial board, Mohammad Datu Baba Omar, and his driver survived an armed ambush on their vehicle in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur.
Police recovered at least 55 empty M-16 shell casings at the scene, following the attack by unidentified suspects riding a plate-less minivan.
Omar and his driver, Abel Buisan, sustained injuries but are now recovering at a local hospital.
According to initial police reports, Omar had just come from a campaign sortie in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, as part of “Team Agila,” led by incumbent Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu. While returning to Cotabato City, they were ambushed in Datu Anggal Midtimbang.
The gunfire shattered the windows of their vehicle, but both passengers survived the attack.
The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) continues to investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, 700 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers have arrived in Maguindanao as part of security reinforcement for the upcoming elections.
Authorities have yet to identify the suspects or determine the motive behind the ambush.
