By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Police in Maguindanao del Sur are searching for four suspects who ambushed and injured a local political candidate and his driver Sunday afternoon in Datu Anggal Midtimbang town.
Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma, Maguindanao del Sur provincial police director, said police and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division are conducting a manhunt after Muhammad Utti Omar, a candidate for provincial board member, and his driver, Abel Bunsalagat Buisan, 31, were attacked around 3 p.m. in Barangay Brar.
Paloma said police led by Maj. Zulkarnain Kunakon, Datu Anggal Midtimbang police chief, responded quickly, preventing further harm to Omar, also known as “Datu Baba,” 49. A brief exchange of gunfire occurred before the attackers fled, Paloma said.
Omar, a former vice mayor of South Upi town running under Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu’s ticket for a seat representing the first district, sustained bruises. Buisan, of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, suffered serious injuries.
“Three men armed with M16 rifles alighted and opened fire at his Toyota Innova, hitting his driver, who decided to continue driving until they reached a police checkpoint,” Omar said, adding that four other companions in the vehicle were unharmed. He was traveling to South Upi after attending a campaign rally in Datu Piang.
Despite the attack, Omar said he will continue his candidacy.
Paloma said the motive and identities of the attackers remain under investigation. (PNA)
