A vice mayor in Maguindanao del Sur and his security escort were killed while two members of his family were injured in an ambush in Barangay Pandan, South Upi late afternoon on Friday, August 2, 2024.

According to the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), South Upi Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his family were traversing a mountainous area when their vehicle was fired upon by unidentified individuals.

Benito and his security aide died on the spot while his wife, the barangay chairwoman of Pandan, and child were injured.

Police and military forces have launched a manhunt operation to capture the assailants.

PRO-BAR said a thorough probe will be conducted to identify the perpetrators and put them behind bars.

“We assure the public that justice will be served, and the perpetrators will be held accountable,” PRO-BAR said.

South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular also condemned the incident.

In a statement, Insular said the local government and the police have mobilized all resources for a speedy investigation to ensure that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“This senseless act of violence against a committed public servant and his family has no place in our community, and we condemned it in the strongest possible terms,” Insular said.