Police operatives arrested another suspect in the ambush of a Maguindanao del Sur mayor early this year that left two of the mayor’s security escorts injured, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said on Monday.
“The arrest marks an important step toward justice but our work does not end with one suspect in custody,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The suspect, Toraipe Lusod, alias Aripi, was nabbed last Saturday afternoon in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao del Sur.
Lusod was arrested by virtue of warrants for terrorism, frustrated murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, according to the police.
He was listed as the No. 1 most wanted person in the province and ranked eighth among most wanted persons in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Lusod is the second suspect in government custody in connection with the January 25 ambush of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. of Shariff Aguak town. The first was a lookout who surrendered to the NBI in March.
Ampatuan’s vehicle was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade in Datu Unsay town. He survived unscathed, but two of his security escorts were injured.
Three of the suspects died in a follow-up operation conducted by the police.
“We will pursue every lead to identify all those involved, including the alleged masterminds, and ensure that they are held accountable under the law,” Nartatez also said.
Nartatez said the arrest of Lusod should serve as a clear warning that “no one is beyond the reach of the law.”
“The PNP will remain relentless in pursuing armed perpetrators while upholding due process and protecting the lives of all our kababayan,” Nartatez added.