Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos Jr. on Saturday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a manhunt operation to find the suspects behind the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal 'Bombit' Alonto-Adiong, Jr.
"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 in a statement.
He added that the entire force of the PNP in Lanao del Sur is now taking action to immediately catch the suspects.
On Friday, February 17, at around 4 p.m., unidentified gunmen fired on Alonto-Adiong Jr.'s convoy in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
The Lanao del Sur governor was wounded and rushed to a provincial hospital, while his three security personnel and driver were killed.
Alonto-Adiong Jr. is now "stable" after a successful surgery that took out the bullet on his upper right waist, his brother Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed in a press conference on Saturday.
"Bagamat nakaligtas si Gov. Bombit, napakalungkot na nasawi ang ilan sa kaniyang mga kasamahan sa insidente," the Interior Secretary said.
Abalos vowed that the DILG would not stop until the gunmen were put behind bars.
