Manila, Jan. 26 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it will pursue with "full force" those behind Sunday's ambush on a town mayor in Maguindanao del Sur.

In a statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police units in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to arrest the mastermind and dismantle the entire network behind the attack on Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan.

"The PNP will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials, and we will ensure that justice is served," Nartatez said. "The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) will pursue those responsible with full force."

Nartatez said a Special Investigation Task Grou...