SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur, January 25, 2026 — Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak survived an ambush on his convoy early Sunday morning after armed men fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at his vehicle in Barangay Mother Poblacion. Despite the attack, the mayor emerged unharmed, though two of his security escorts sustained injuries.

According to police reports, the convoy was traveling around 6:00 a.m. when suspects aboard a minivan launched the RPG directly at the mayor’s black SUV. CCTV footage later confirmed that one of the attackers fired the grenade, which struck the vehicle and caused a cloud of smoke. The SUV, which was bulletproof, managed to continue moving despite the damage. Gunfire followed as the mayor’s backup vehicle returned fire, forcing the suspects to flee.

Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit said, “May follow-up vehicle, sakay doon ‘yung ilang mga security din ni mayor. ‘Yung mga security niya ay nakapag-retaliate sa mga suspek but dalawa sa securities niya ay wounded din kanina. Both ay may tama sa left side ng abdomen.” The wounded escorts were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities immediately launched a hot pursuit operation, which led to the deaths of three suspected gunmen in Datu Unsay town later that day. A concerned citizen tipped off police about the suspects’ abandoned vehicle, which was found riddled with bullet holes. The joint police and Army team recovered firearms and ammunition from the site.

Mayor Ampatuan’s executive assistant, Anwar Kuit Emblawa, assured the public that the mayor was safe, saying, “The mayor is safe.”

The ambush highlights the continuing security challenges in Maguindanao del Sur, where political violence has historically plagued local leaders. Authorities have tightened security in Shariff Aguak and surrounding towns to prevent further incidents. The Philippine National Police vowed to pursue all leads to identify the masterminds behind the attack and ensure accountability.

The incident underscores the risks faced by local officials in conflict-prone areas of Mindanao, where armed groups and political rivalries often intersect. For Mayor Ampatuan, survival from the RPG attack is seen as both a narrow escape and a reminder of the volatile security environment in the region.

Survival Is Not Stability

Mayor Akmad Ampatuan survived an RPG attack. That alone is being framed as proof that security held. Police responded quickly, suspects were neutralized, and authorities tightened patrols. For supporters, this shows the system can react decisively when violence strikes.

But survival is not stability. An RPG was fired at dawn in a town under constant watch, aimed at an elected official traveling a familiar route. That weapon did not appear by accident, and the attack was not spontaneous.

Swift response matters. Prevention matters more. If an ambush of this scale can still happen in Shariff Aguak, what does “secure” truly mean in conflict-prone areas?