The suspected mastermind in the ambush last February 17 of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. was reported killed Wednesday in a shootout with law enforcers in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in a statement, said the suspect, Oscar “Tacmar” Capal Gandawali, opened fire on a composite police-Army team on a mission to arrest him.
The lawmen fired back, cutting down Gandawali who was listed by the police as the most wanted person in Lanao del Sur, and the 4th most wanted in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
A barangay chairman and an Army trooper were reportedly hurt during the exchange of gunfire.
The CIDG said Gandawali was heavily armed, and they found various firearms, suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia after the shootout.
Adiong was in a convoy in Kalilangan, Bukidnon when they were fired upon, killing four of his companions. The fatalities were identified as PSSgt.
Mohammed Jurai Adiong, 40; PCpls. Johanie Lawi Sumandar, 39, and Jalil Ampuan Cosain, 40, and a driver only known as ‘Kobi’.
Adiong and two of his staff were also injured in the attack.
A suspect identified only as “Otin” was killed during the hot pursuit operations conducted by the police on February 17 to 19.
Police said Gandawali was also involved in the ambush-murder of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents in October 2018.
He added that the Gandawali was a notorious leader of a criminal gang operating in Lanao del Sur and nearby provinces, and other criminal activities such as gun-for-hire, gunrunning, and robbery hold up.
Gandawala and his group were also known as alleged financiers and supporters of extremist rebels in the region.