SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has condemned the ambush attack to Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.

The ambush took place in Maguing town, which reportedly left four of his security details dead and another one wounded.

“I strongly condemn this assassination attempt on Gov. Adiong, which left four of his security details dead. This senseless act of violence has no place in a civilized society like ours,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker has called on law enforcement agencies to act with dispatch in identifying the gunmen.

Reports reaching Romualdez’ attention is that the perpetrator fired on Gov. Adiong’s convoy as they were traversing the road between Maguing and Amai Manabilang town en route to Wao, a town in Lanao del Sur.

“I want the gunmen identified and whoever is the mastermind unmasked. I want them all to be placed behind bars and brought to the bar of justice as soon as possible,” Romualdez said.

“I call on our law enforcement agencies: waste no time in running after the perpetrators of this dastardly crime. They need to restore peace and order in the province immediately,” he added.

The House leader expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the ambush and assured them that he would extend whatever assistance that they may need.

“I grieve with the families of those who were killed and I pray for the safety and speedy recovery of our dear governor. We, in the Lakas-CMD, will extend all assistance necessary,” he added.

Gov. Adiong, is the vice president of Lakas-CMD for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He is the older brother of Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong.

Vice President Sara Duterte also condemned the ambush that apparently targeted Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong in the town of Maguing Friday.

Duterte said as a nation, Filipinos should collectively reject this cowardly act of violence and demand that the perpetrators are immediately brought to justice.

“I commiserate with the bereaved families of the four security escorts of Gov. Adiong who died in the ambush,” Duterte said.

“I pray for the speedy recovery of Gov. Adiong and the other injured person,” she added.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman slammed in the strongest possible terms the ambush that left Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and his aide wounded, and killed four members of his convoy near the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon.

Hataman said this attack was a brazen act of violence, perpetrated against no less than the highest local executive official of the province of Lanao del Sur and his companions.

“Nakikiramay ako sa mga kaanak ng mga biktima ng pagpatay, at hangad natin ang mabilis na recovery ni Gov. Adiong at ng kanyang kasama,” he said.

Hataman expressed concern over the few of the incidents out of the many that occurred in the past few months.

“Nais ko ring magpahayag ng pagkabahala sa sunod-sunod na insidente ng karahasan na nangyayari sa BARMM areas sa unang dalawang buwan pa lamang ng taong 2023,” he said.

The solon is referring to the killing of a 13-year old student in Pikit, Cotabato; ambush of a marine sergeant and officer of PNP Lanao del Sur; and the hostage taking of 39 members of Philippines Army in Lanao del Sur.

“I call on the law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators of these incidents. Lalo na’t ang biktima ay mga bata, mga LGU officials at mga tagapagpatupad ng ating batas,” he said.

“We have worked long and hard to achieve peace in the region, which I believe we started enjoying, until recently. Pero bakit ang pakiramdam ng mamamayan ay mas lalong lumalala ang sitwasyon kaysa bumubuti? The perpetrators must be brought to justice in these cases, lest we give them an impression that the law cannot punish them,” he added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. also condemned the ambush try on Adiong.

“Mariin kong kinokondena ang ginawang pag-ambush kay Governor Bombit at sa kanyang mga kasamahan. Agad akong nagbigay ng direktiba sa PNP na magsagawa ng manhunt operations upang agad na mahuli ang mga suspek sa insidenteng ito,” Abalos said.

Abalos said the entire police force of the province will be busy going after those responsible in that bloody ambush.

“Bagamat nakaligtas si Gov. Bombit, napakalungkot na nasawi ang ilan sa kanyang mga kasamahan sa insidente. Lubos kaming nakikidalamhati sa pamilya ng mga nasawi at asahan ninyo na hindi titigil ang ating kapulisan hanggang hindi nahuhuli at nabibilanggo ang mga suspek,” he said.

Abalos also ordered the PNP to closely coordinate with the military units on the ground in hunting down the suspects and finding out the motive behind the incident.

As per Adiong’s brother, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong, the governor is now out of danger.

He said attending physicians who conducted the surgery successfully took the bullet out of his waist.

“He underwent surgery para alisin yung bala. . . Medyo malalim. Buti hindi fatal, walang tinamaa na organs. .Successful naman ang surgery,” the congressman said in an interview over GMA News Online. Jester Manalastas, Joel dela Torre