RPG event in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Poblacion area, Philippines on Sun 25th January 2026

On 25 January 2026, a mayor belonging to the Ampatuan clan, his 2 bodyguards, including a police officer, and a civilian were wounded when assailants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the mayor's vehicle and security escort vehicle in Barangay Poblacion (Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). Both the mayor's vehicles were also hit by gunfire. A firefight ensued as the mayor's security personnel returned fire. Authorities said the previous assassination attempts against the mayor, which occurred in 2010, 2014, 2019, and 2023, might share a common motive with the recent attack. They suspected the motive for the attack was likely related to local political tensions, rivalries, or retaliation for the murder of a relative. The Dawlah Islamiyah - Hassan Garoup and BIFF are being considered as groups of interest.