A mayor in the southern Philippines escaped unharmed after his armored vehicle was hit in an apparent rocket-propelled grenade attack during a daylight ambush on a public road in Maguindanao del Sur, authorities said.
Mayor Akmad Ampatuan was traveling in a bulletproof SUV when armed suspects stepped into the roadway and fired an explosive projectile at his convoy. The blast struck the vehicle, causing visible damage and smoke, but the armor protected the occupants, allowing the mayor to drive away without injury.
Two members of the mayor’s security team were wounded in the attack and received medical treatment for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Security forces responded quickly, launching a pursuit that led to a gunfight with the attackers. Officials said three suspects were killed during the exchange, while at least one individual involved in the ambush remains at large.
Investigators have not yet publicly identified a motive for the attack and are examining whether it was politically driven or linked to ongoing regional conflicts. The incident highlights persistent security risks faced by local officials in parts of the country, particularly in areas with a history of armed violence.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as they work to identify remaining suspects and determine how the attack was planned and carried out.