On November 23, 2009, the entourage of the wife of Buluan, Maguindanao vice-mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who ran for provincial governor, including journalists, were abducted and killed in the province's town of Ampatuan. Before she was killed, Mangudadatu's wife blamed provincial governor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as the culprit.
On November 23, 2009, the entourage of Esmael Mangudadatu's wife, who was running for provincial governor in Maguindanao, including journalists, were kidnapped and murdered in Ampatuan town. Before her death, Mangudadatu's wife accused Andal Ampatuan Jr., the provincial governor, of being responsible.