Mindanaotoday.com | Gov’t starts into probe into Lanao Sur guv’s ambush
By: Claire Gigje
MARAWI CITY – An investigation is now underway to identify the root cause and the identities of the perpetrators behind the violent attack against Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr., February 17, the official’s family stated.
In a press conference held in Cagayan de Oro City, February 18, the governor’s brother, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong, guaranteed that security forces are already conducting a thorough and swift search to serve justice.
He said they are looking intently at all possible angles of the crime, however, they do not want to forestall the ongoing probe.
“We do not want to preempt the investigation. We are waiting for the result of the investigation, but we do not want to leave any stone unturned,” said the sibling.
Rep. Adiong said earlier that he had gotten a vague report that said seven cars, led by a police car and with the governor in a non-bulletproof car in the third car, were supposed to be going to Wao town when they were ambushed in Maguing town at around 4 p.m.
Running on a flat tire, the governor’s car attempted to get away from the scene, and one of the passengers who was accompanying the governor later went out and coincidentally saw another vehicle passing by, which was immediately stopped and asked for help.
The official was then put in a car and told to go to the municipal hall of the town of Amai Manabilang, which was the closest place to where they were.Upon reaching the place, wounded individuals were brought to Kalilangan Provincial Hospital, the closest facility that could give them direct medical attention.
Accordingly, the governor was hit in his right hip and was transferred to Polymedic Medical Plaza in Cagayan de Oro City.
Reports added that not only did the tragedy hurt individuals, but it also left four escorts dead.
Rep. Adiong stressed that this is the first time that a major unfortunate incident happened in the province that involved a government official, causing all of them to be taken aback.
He stated that prior threats and possible motives are still unknown to them at this time.Still, he told the press that the fact that the governor was in a car that couldn’t even stop bullets showed that his family didn’t have a feud with any clan (rido) and that he didn’t have any political rivals.
Rep. Adiong said they didn’t feel the need to increase the victim’s security measures when he was traveling around the province, and that the crime scene was on the usual route he took to get to Davao and Bukidnon.
He also said the remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group had been seen in this province for years, but that the public already knew that these local terrorists don’t really target specific people because they are against the government system as a whole. This means that anyone in the government could be a target.
The solon once again reiterated that, notwithstanding the potential causes that led to the killing, they trusted the authorities in their operations.
“What we are seeking here is justice for the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators. Let us wait for the investigation, but we are open to all scenarios,” said Rep. Adiong.
The governor’s family reported that the governor had minor surgery on his lower right abdomen the night he was brought to a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City to remove the bullet that hit him. He is already recuperating as of press time. (CRG | PIA-10 | Lanao del Sur)
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