Maguindanao mayoral bet hurt in ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Motorcycle-riding men shot and wounded a mayoral candidate in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Wednesday, police said.

Investigators said Yamashita Mangacop, an aspirant for the mayorship of Datu Hoffer town, was driving his vehicle along the highway in nearby Sultan Kudarat town when he was fired at, wounding him in the arm and hand.

Mangacop even tried to grab the handgun of one of the gunmen when more shots rang out, causing a commotion, police said.

The gunmen were out to finish off the wounded Mangacop, but balked and sped away after sensing that the attack had caught the attention of people in the area.