Court issues arrest warrants for 12 in Maguindanao RPG attack

An Iligan City Regional Trial Court has issued arrest warrants for 12 individuals, including Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Datu Andal ‘Xyril’ Ampatuan V, in connection with a January 25 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack.

The ambush targeted the armored SUV of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad ‘Mitra’ Ampatuan Sr. while he was traveling with security personnel. While Ampatuan Sr. survived the assault, two of his security escorts were injured. The suspects face charges of frustrated murder and violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, including terrorism, planning, and conspiracy.

The case involves members of a prominent political family. Ampatuan Sr. is the cousin of the late Datu Andal ‘Unsay’ Ampatuan Jr., who was convicted in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre. The current suspect, Mayor Xyril Ampatuan V, is the son of the former mayor. Following the initial January attack, police killed three suspected assailants during a pursuit operation.