Suspect in RPG attack on Maguindanao mayor arrested

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Police arrested on Saturday one of the suspects in the Jan. 25, 2026 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack targeting Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad “Mitra” Ampatuan Sr. in Maguindanao del Sur. 

Major Joel Lebrilla, chief of the Shariff Aguak Municipal Police Station, identified the suspect as Toraipe Lusod, alias “Aripi Adam,” of Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur.

READ: Maguindanao mayor who survived RPG attack dares nephew to face raps

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Lusod was arrested at around 2:45 p.m. during a law enforcement operation in the area.

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Police identified him as the No. 1 most wanted person in Maguindanao del Sur and the No. 8 most wanted person in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The operation was led by personnel of the Shariff Aguak Municipal Police Station, with support from the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), the Provincial Intelligence Unit, the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, and other police units.

Lusod was arrested by virtue of warrants issued in connection with several criminal cases, including terrorism, frustrated murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

READ: No bail: Arrest ordered for 12 in RPG attack on Maguindanao mayor

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He is the second suspect in the alleged assassination attempt against Ampatuan to be placed under government custody.

In March this year, a man who claimed to have served as a lookout in the attempted killing of the mayor surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in BARMM.

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NBI officials said the alleged lookout had detailed information about the individuals who supposedly organized and masterminded the failed assassination attempt. Authorities have withheld his identity as the investigation continues.

The RPG attack last January was reportedly the sixth ambush attempt against Ampatuan since 2010. The mayor had served as a witness in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which claimed the lives of 58 people, including 32 media workers.

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Authorities recovered an M4 rifle and live ammunition from Lusod, who is now detained at the Shariff Aguak Municipal Police Station. /cb