By Edwin Fernandez

AMBUSH SCENE. Bullet holes mark the vehicle of a village chair and his driver after they were attacked in Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur Monday (March 30, 2026). Both victims are confined at Buluan District Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Datu Kadz Sipat of Paglat)

TACURONG CITY – Unidentified gunmen ambushed and injured a village chair and his driver in Paglat town, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, police said.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, identified the victims as Hadji Mansor Mangelen, village chairperson of Barangay Damalusay, Paglat, and his driver, Arafa Abpet, both residents of the same barangay.

The two were on board a Toyota Innova heading home at 8:30 a.m. when two motorcycle-riding suspects tailed them and opened fire toward the driver’s side.

Mangelen sustained minor injuries while his driver was in critical condition. Both are confined at Buluan District Hospital in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur.

“The motive of the attack remained unknown as of posting but police are pursuing several leads,” Salanguit said, adding that police investigation continues as of posting time. (PNA)