MAGUINDANAO MAYOR, WIFE TAGGED AS ALLEGED ‘MASTERMINDS’ IN THE VICE MAYOR’S KILLING NABBED

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a Maguindanao del Sur mayor and his wife over their alleged link to the 2024 ambush and death of a vice mayor and his bodyguard.

Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said the suspects identified as “Rey” and “Janet” were tracked down in Bgy. Making in Parang, Maguindanao del Sur by members of the CIDG Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit and the Cotabato City Field Unit.

The couple were nabbed on the strength of a warrant for murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder issued by the Cotabato City Regional Trial Court Branch 27.

Torre said the two were accused of being the “masterminds” in the murder of Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his security aide, Weng Marcos, at Sitio Linao in Bgy. Pandan, South Upi municipality.

The vice mayor and his bodyguard were shot to death while the former’s wife, then barangay chairperson Analyn Benito, and their 11-year-old child were injured.

The gruesome killing triggered the creation of a Special Investigation Task Group  since the victim is an elected government official. 

The CIDG Maguindanao PFU led the investigation into the killings.

Following an in-depth investigation, the SITG in November 2024 filed the criminal complaints against the mayor, his wife and 10 other co-accused for their alleged role in the planning and orchestration of the ambush.

The arrested suspects are being held in a local olice jail pending their presentation to the court.