Maguindanao sultan killed in ambush

Mindanao: The Sultan of Maguindanao province was assassinated and his brother wounded in an attack in the southern Philippine town of Sultan Kudarat late on Wednesday, police said in a report yesterday.

Two motorcycle-borne gunmen attacked Sultan Datu Amir Bin Mohammad Baraguir outside his house.

Baraguir was with his relatives on board a van when gunmen opened fire on them, police report said.

The motive of the attack was unknown and police said they were still investigating the ambush.

Muslims observe the tradition of burying their dead within 24 hours. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is active in the province, said the attack could be connected to a family feud.

"It has something to do with Baraguir's position as Sultan of Maguindanao since many others have been claiming to be the real sultans," said the MILF.

"There is an ongoing rivalry among sultans, and there is a power struggle among them. Many are claiming to be the real sultans," said Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the MILF.

Baraguir, a descendant of Maguindao Sultan Shariff Muhamman Kabungsuan Bin Ali Zainal Abidin, was enthroned in December as the 25th Sultan of Maguindanao, and named as Seri Paduka Sultan Sayyid Hadji Datu Amir Bin Mohammad Baraguir.

Before he was killed, Baraquir had vowed to pursue the right of the Muslims for self-determination under the United Nations Charter and international agreements.

Third son

The 45-year old Baraguir was the third son of the late Sultan Muhammad Baraguir and Bai Fatima Andong, whose family roots were traced from three historic Muslim royalties in the southern Philippines.

The Maguindanao Sultanate was originally set up by Malacca noblemen who settled in Mindanao after fleeing Portuguese conquest. The current sultans in the southern Philippines are merely figureheads with no real political power, but they continue to exert influence over Muslims and are well respected in Mindanao. Maguindanao was famous for its violent resistance to Spanish conquest and was subdued only towards the end of the 19th century.