AUTHORITIES have arrested the mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, and his wife for their alleged involvement in the killing of the town’s vice mayor in 2024.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the arrest took place in Barangay Making, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The couple had a standing arrest warrant for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City on May 19.
According to the CIDG, at least 12 suspects have been identified in the ambush that occurred in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan, South Upi, on August 2, 2024. The attack left South Upi Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his aide, Weng Marcos, dead.
Benito’s wife, a barangay chairperson, and their 11-year-old child were injured in the incident.
The current mayor of South Upi is Reynalbert Insular. He was elected as the town’s vice mayor in the 2025 national and local elections, while his wife ran for mayor but lost. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)