Candao willing to help in ambush probe

COTABATO CITY — Former Maguindanao Gov. Zacaria Can—dao has urged local authorities to activate a special task force to probe last week’s ambush here of his rival, governor-elect Datu Andal Ampatuan, which left five people dead and 14 others wounded and triggered a fire that destroyed 30 houses.

Ampatuan survived the attack with only bruises and superficial shrapnel wounds in different parts of the body. Though wounded, four of his bodyguards, including his driver, managed to fight back.

Candao said his camp is willing to help in the investigation to clear speculations that the ambush was politically motivated.

"The sooner we can conduct an extensive probe on the incident, the better," he said.

Candao said innocent people could be dragged into the issue if authorities fail to conduct a speedy investigation to unmask the real perpetrators. He did not elaborate.

Candao, through his lawyers, is still working on his post-electoral protest over the results of the gubernatorial race where Ampatuan defeated him by an overwhelming vote-margin.

Ampatuan’s spokesman, engineer Norie Unas, said the ambush could be politically motivated.

"There can be no other reason for Gov. Ampatuan to be ambushed just like that," he said.

Ampatuan was on his way to the city from the provincial capitol in nearby Sultan Kudarat when armed men opened fire on his Chevrolet Silverado pick-up with B-40 rockets and assault rifles.

The ambush also caused a fire when an M-79 projectile fired by the ambushers hit a store selling liquefied petroleum gas. — John Unson