The Mayor of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines, Akmad Ampatuan, narrowly escaped death after surviving a brazen assassination attempt on Sunday morning.
According to reports, the attack occurred around 6:20 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion while the mayor was travelling in his armoured black SUV.
CCTV footage captured the dramatic moment armed suspects arrived at the scene in a white minivan, disembarked, and fired a grenade launcher at the mayor’s vehicle.
Fortunately, Ampatuan’s bulletproof SUV withstood the powerful blast, saving his life. His backup vehicle, a pickup truck, was however riddled with bullets during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the mayor’s executive assistant, Anwar Kuit Emblawa, said Ampatuan was unharmed and safe.
He added that two security escorts sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center in Datu Hoffer.
Following the ambush, a joint police and military team launched a pursuit operation, during which three of the suspected attackers were reportedly killed.
Authorities revealed that this was not the first time Mayor Ampatuan has been targeted. Records show he survived a roadside bombing in 2010, an ambush in 2014, and another attack in 2019, making Sunday’s incident the fourth assassination attempt against him.
Investigations into the latest attack are ongoing as security agencies intensify efforts to track down any remaining suspects.
