Maguindanao mayor’s nephew killed in ambush

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February 18, 2026 | 12:00am

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A nephew of the mayor of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur, who survived a rocket attack last month, was killed in an ambush yesterday morning.

Murshid Ampatuan, his uncle Yasser and their companion Lemon Angkad Bangen were in a black Nissan Livina when they were waylaid by gunmen at the border of the villages of Kabengi and Salbu in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Responding police officers and barangay watchmen rushed the victims to a hospital, where Murshid was declared dead on arrival.

Yasser and Bangen were confined for treatment of gunshot wounds, police said.

Murshid is a nephew of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., whose vehicle was attacked by three men with an anti-tank rocket and assault rifles last month.

The men fled after the attack, but were killed in a shootout by pursuing police officers and soldiers in the nearby town of Datu Unsay.

Murshid is a son of Ampatuan’s older brother while Yasser is a younger sibling of the mayor.

The assailants managed to escape before responding policemen and soldiers could reach the scene.

The mayor expressed belief that the attack that killed his nephew could be related to the attempt on his life in January.

Investigation is ongoing.