Insane Footage Shows Filipino Mayor Survive Rocket Launcher Ambush as Suspect Remains on the Loose [WATCH]

A mayor in the Philippines narrowly escaped death after a brazen early-morning ambush in which attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and assault rifle at his vehicle, according to local authorities and video footage circulating online, as reported by The New York Post.

The attack occurred at around 6 a.m. on January 25 in the municipality of Shariff Aguak, located in Maguindanao del Sur province.

Video footage shows a black Toyota SUV carrying Mayor Akmad Ampatuan pulling into a Caltex petrol station when the ambush unfolded.

This is insane, they tried to assassinate a mayor in the Philippines by firing an RPG at a land cruiser and it survived with fairly minor damage.

A Gently Used Land Cruiser https://t.co/z5uiFv6osO pic.twitter.com/oIzfvGqP4K

— Shwen (@ShwenSol) January 26, 2026

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Within seconds, a man crouched behind a gray van across the street is seen launching an RPG directly at the SUV. The explosion strikes the rear of the vehicle as it begins to pull away.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Another attacker, wearing a red shirt, is also visible in the footage, holding what appears to be a high-powered assault rifle and firing in the direction of the mayor’s vehicle.

Despite the severity of the attack, the SUV managed to flee the scene as smoke billowed from the rear of the vehicle. Authorities later confirmed that Mayor Ampatuan survived the attack.

Two members of his security detail were injured during the assault.

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The mayor of a town in the Philippines narrowly escaped death after assailants attacked his armored vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade and… pic.twitter.com/8Znr2y0U6F

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) January 27, 2026

According to local media reports, a joint military and police operation responding to the incident resulted in the deaths of three suspects. One suspect, believed to be the driver, remains at large.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ampatuan called for increased protection following the attack. “This cannot happen again,” he said.

“I didn’t think they would use a gun that large. An RPG is not something an ordinary person uses. This was professional.”

Philippine National Police spokesperson Randulf Tuaño said the January 25 ambush marked the fourth attack against Ampatuan, who has served as mayor since 2022.

Previous attacks include a roadside bombing in 2010, an ambush in 2014, and another attack in 2019. Tuaño also said Ampatuan was subjected to alleged harassment incidents in July and December 2025.

Before becoming mayor, Ampatuan served as vice mayor and was a key witness in the high-profile Maguindanao massacre case, testifying against members of his own extended family.

Tuaño said investigators are pursuing multiple angles. “The first angle we are looking at is local tension related to local politics, which may have resulted in the hiring of gunmen-for-hire,” he said.

“A possible retaliation angle also surfaced, in which police are looking into whether the group of suspects share the same surname as victims in a previous killing incident.”

Police identified the leader of the attack group as a man known as “Raprap.” His accomplices included his uncle, cousin, and sibling. Authorities said the sibling served as the driver who managed to escape.

Tuaño also confirmed that a special task force has been created to trace the source of the weapons used in the attack, including the RPG.

The Police Regional Office is expected to recommend administrative relief for the local Chief of Police over possible security lapses in Shariff Aguak.

The ambush comes amid heightened political tensions in the Philippines.

Just months earlier, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets nationwide over alleged corruption in government flood control and infrastructure projects, commonly referred to as “ghost projects.”

Some demonstrations escalated into violent clashes with authorities, resulting in hundreds of arrests.

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