Ranking MILF official, companion killed in ambushHamza Sangki Kindo and Mohammad Kader Acob both died immediately when men, armed with assault rifles, opened fire at their vehicle late Monday, January 12, 2026, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Men armed with assault rifles killed one of the ranking leaders of the 118th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and a companion in an ambush in Barangay Kapinpilan in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday night, January 12. The slain Acob was also a member of the MILF, according to local executives. Col. Sultan Salman Sapal, Maguindanao del Sur provincial police director, said barangay and municipal local officials and investigators from the Ampatuan Municipal Police Station are cooperating in identifying the assailants of Kindo and Acob for prosecution. Their attackers, who managed to escape before responding barangay officials and volunteer watchmen could reach the scene, are now subject of an extensive manhunt by policemen and intelligence agents from the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.

Source: Philippine Star January 13, 2026 12:37 UTC