The mastermind who ambushed Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. died on the spot during a joint law enforcement operation of the military and police that injured a soldier and barangay chairman in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
According to PNP -Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Police Major General Romeo Caramat, their personnel conducted a law enforcement operation in collaboration with the Philippine Army against Oscar “Tamar” Capal Gandawali at his hideout in Brgy. Pilomkonan, Maguing, Lanao del Sur, but before they could serve the warrant of arrest, it suddenly opened fire on the operatives, injuring a soldier, Army 5th Infantry Battalion (IB) personnel Staff Sgt. Michael Angelo Y. Virecio and Barangay Pilimoknan captain Gamon Manonggiring.
The operatives were forced to retaliate and there was a brief exchange of fire which killed their targe.
According to Lanao del Sur police provincial director Col. Robert Daculan, the suspect is the leader of the private armed group Oscar Tacmar Capal Gandawal who is facing seven counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
He is said to be the mastermind behind the ambush on Adiong. Police first arrested three of his colleagues in March while another suspect in the ambush identified as alias “Otin” was killed in a hot pursuit operation.
Gov. Adiong was ambushed on February 17 in Kalilangan Bukidnon, injuring him and a colleague while killing four people including his driver bodyguard and three policemen.
The PNP official also revealed that the suspect was also the mastermind behind the ambush that killed five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Kapai, Lanao del Sur in October 2018.
Recovered from the suspect’s safe house were firearms, various ammunition and illegal drugs and shabu paraphernalia.
