Manila, Feb. 13 -- Police in Datu Abdullah Sangki (DAS), Maguindanao del Sur, has launched a manhunt for gunmen who ambushed a municipal councilor, a village councilman, and a barangay secretary on Thursday.

Councilor Edris Sangki, 54, who also serves as chairperson of Barangay Kaya-Kaya, was riding a motorcycle driven by Barangay Councilman Penny Balawgan, 56, when unidentified assailants in a vehicle opened fire around 10:30 a.m., according to Lt. Col. Glenn Mar Avisa, the town's police chief.

Barangay Secretary Abdul Latip, 55, who was following the two on another motorcycle, was also hit by stray bullets. All three victims were unarmed.

Sangki, an ex-officio member of the town council as president of the Association of Barangay Cap...