The Iligan City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Datu Andal “Xyril” Ampatuan V and several others over the January 2026 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Akmad “Mitra” Ampatuan Sr.
RTC Branch 1 in Iligan City issued the warrants for alleged violations of Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The court order stated that the accused are “not entitled to bail” for the terrorism-related offense under RA 11479.
The accused were charged in connection with the Jan. 25 attack on Ampatuan’s convoy in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur.
Armed assailants allegedly fired an RPG at the mayor’s sport utility vehicle, but Ampatuan survived the attack. Two people were injured in the incident.
Ampatuan had said the RPG attack was already the fifth ambush against him.
The Department of Justice earlier conducted a preliminary investigation into the anti-terrorism charges filed against the suspects.
The DOJ found probable cause with reasonable certainty of conviction and recommended the filing of multiple charges against the respondents.
These included four counts of frustrated murder against all respondents, as well as charges for conspiracy to commit terrorism under Section 7, planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism under Section 6, and terrorism under Section 4 of RA 11479.
The DOJ resolution identified Ampatuan and the other respondents as having sufficient evidence against them for the filing of the charges.
The Iligan RTC order directed law enforcement authorities executing the warrants to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device, or at least two recording devices, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s rules on the use of body-worn cameras in the execution of warrants.