COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A Regional Trial Court in Iligan City has issued warrants of arrest against 12 individuals, including incumbent Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Datu Andal “Xyril” Ampatuan V, in connection with the January 2026 ambush of Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Akmad “Mitra” B. Ampatuan.
The arrest warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court of the Tenth Judicial Region, Branch 1, in Iligan City, in connection with criminal cases involving violations of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. The warrant directs law enforcement officers to arrest the 12 named accused and bring them before the court for proceedings.
Mayor Xyril Ampatuan is among the 12 individuals named in the warrant.
The case stemmed from the January 25, 2026 ambush on Mayor Akmad “Mitra” Ampatuan in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur. Initial reports said armed men fired at the mayor’s vehicle while he was traveling through the area.
Mayor Mitra survived the attack, while two of his security escorts were wounded and brought to a hospital for treatment. His office later confirmed that the mayor had been safely evacuated and placed in a secure location.
DOJ Finds Basis for Multiple Criminal Charges
The arrest warrants followed a resolution issued by the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service in NPS Docket No. XVI-INV-26D-00078.
The DOJ resolution recommended the filing of four counts of frustrated murder against the 12 respondents named in the warrant. It also recommended charges under Sections 4, 6 and 7 of Republic Act No. 11479, covering terrorism, planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism, and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
The prosecution record also identifies other offenses arising from the incident, including attempted murder, malicious mischief, and violation of Republic Act No. 9516 concerning the illegal possession and/or use of explosives.
The DOJ panel’s recommendation was subsequently brought before the trial court, which issued the arrest warrants for the 12 accused.
The court document identifies the accused as Ababang Salik alias “Babang,” Edad Pendatun alias “Haider,” Aboher K. Guimbangan, Toraipie A. Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Datu Andal “Xyril” Ampatuan V, Mohammad Shamron Sapalon Uday alias “Tho Sapalon,” Samsudin K. Mokamad, Saudi M. Guiapal, Johari M. Guiapal, Soy Kali, and Datuben Gayon Alib Dimau alias Datuben Alib Dimao.
RPG Attack Triggered Investigation
The January ambush became the subject of a joint investigation by police and military authorities.
According to the earlier incident report, the attack occurred as Mayor Mitra’s convoy passed through Barangay Poblacion. Authorities later found three individuals believed to have been involved in the attack dead in Sitio 24, Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, around four to five kilometers from the reported ambush site.
An abandoned vehicle bearing multiple bullet holes was also discovered in the area. Police said at the time that they were investigating whether the deaths resulted from an armed encounter or other circumstances following the ambush. Ballistics and forensic examinations were initiated to establish the identities of the deceased and determine their possible involvement.
The DOJ proceedings subsequently identified the 12 respondents as facing prosecution for the more serious offenses outlined in the resolution.
Accused Entitled to Answer Charges
The issuance of an arrest warrant does not by itself constitute a finding of guilt. The accused will have the opportunity to contest the allegations and present their defenses before the court as the criminal proceedings move forward.
The prosecution resolution states that the four counts of frustrated murder and the terrorism-related charges should be filed against the 12 respondents.
The complainants identified in the DOJ case are Mayor Datu Akmad “Mitra” B. Ampatuan, PFC Manuel A. Dondiego, Tips Lakman Eso, and Butch S. Saludin.
The prosecution panel that handled the resolution included Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell P. Bendoval, Assistant State Prosecutors Donnabelle B. Sierra, Gary C. Aure and Donna Umil, and Prosecution Attorney Mae Celriz O. Yano. The resolution also bears the approval of OIC-Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herrbert Calvin P. Abugan and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon.
As of the latest information contained in the report, no public statement had been issued by Mayor Xyril Ampatuan or the other respondents regarding the arrest warrants.
Authorities are expected to enforce the warrants and proceed with the court cases as required by law.