‘Suspect’ in Lanao del Sur guv’s ambush killed in shootout

POLICE killed in a shootout a man allegedly involved in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. that resulted in the killing of four individuals, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) Colonel Red Maranan said on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Maranan said the suspect whose true identity has not yet been known was killed during a hot pursuit operation in Maguing town on February 18.

“’Yung mga araw na nagcoconduct ng mga hot pursuit operation ‘yung ating mga operatiba ay nakasagupa nila itong isang grupo at sa sagupaan na yun ay napatay si alias Otin at una ay hindi pa ito na-identify kaagad ng ating mga kapulisan kaya hinanap pa ‘yung mga testigo doon sa pangyayari kay Governor Adiong,” he said in an interview.

(During the days when our operatives were conducting hot pursuit operations, they encountered this group and in that encounter, alias Otin was killed and at first, our policemen did not immediately identify him, so they searched for the witnesses in the incident.)

“Dinala doon sa crime scene (ang mga testigo) para ipa-identify itong suspect at in-identify ng mga testigo na isa nga sa mga responsible sa pag ambush kay Governor Adiong,” he added.

(The witnesses were brought to the crime scene to identify the suspect, and the witnesses identified him as one of those responsible for the ambush of Governor Adiong.)

Maranan said they are still getting the true identity of the suspect and will use it for the identification of the other possible suspects.

Maranan said operations against the other people involved in the ambush are ongoing.

Authorities believe that there are around 10 or more people involved in the incident.

“Sa ngayon ‘yung motibong tinitingnan natin base doon sa ulat ng ating regional office ay...‘yung pangyayari nung nagkaroon ng isang marijuana eradication operation doon sa municipality of Maguing,” he said.

(Right now, the motive we are looking at based on the report of our regional office is... the incident when there was a marijuana eradication operation in the municipality of Maguing.)

“However, hindi natin isinasantabi ‘yung ibang motibo sapagkat patuloy pa rin ang pag-iimbestiga ng ating SITG,” he added.

(However, we are not ruling out other motives because our SITG is still investigating.)

On February 17, armed men fired upon the convoy of Adiong, resulting in the wounding of Adiong and one of his staff members, and the death of the governor’s four other companions. (SunStar Philippines)