Midsayap: Authorities are pursuing two persons of interest in connection with the fatal ambush of a town council candidate in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte, over the weekend. Lt. Col. Realan Mamon, Midsayap police chief, reported that Jerry Beltran Dofredo, 46, was ambushed around 5 p.m. on Jan. 18 along the borders of Barangays Katinggawan and San Isidro in Midsayap.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dofredo, a candidate under the Muslim-Christian Democrats Party, sustained six gunshot wounds and died on the spot. The victim was riding his motorcycle home from Midsayap town proper when one of two suspects, both on separate motorcycles, shot him.

His family stated that Dofredo, a former village chair of Barangay P. Labio and former town councilor, had no known enemies. He was seeking reelection in the May 2025 polls. Mamon mentioned that investigators are exploring several possible motives for the killing as part of their ongoing investigation.