THREE persons were charged for their involvement in the assassination attempt on Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.

The suspects, who are still at-large, were identified as Lomala Baratumo, Oscar Gandawali and Acsanie Hadji Salic. The three were charged with four counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and 22 counts of attempted murder before the Marawi City Regional Trial Court on Thursday, March 2.

They were identified by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as members of a lawless armed group operating in Maguing.

Lanao del Sur PNP spokesman Maj. Alvison Mustapha said on Saturday the three were involved in different criminal activities including illegal drugs.

Baratumo, Gandawali and Salic are also known for their links with a local terrorist group, the Dawlah Islamiya, that has a reputation for bombing establishments and buses if owners refuse to shell out 'protection money' on a monthly basis.

Mustapha said witnesses positively identified the three suspects in the ambush.

Personnel of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and the Maguing Municipal Police Station prepared the cases against the three suspects.

Efforts to identify the other suspects are still underway and corresponding criminal cases shall be filed against them, the police said.

On February 17, unidentified suspects ambushed Governor Adiong's convoy in Wao town. The gun assault resulted in the death of Adiong's four aides.

The Lanao del Sur governor survived the attack together with his driver and security escort.