They were part of the armed contingent that abducted the convoy accompanying the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael Mangudadatu and her family who were on their way to the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of Ishmael Mangudadatu for governor of Maguindanao.
Bahagi sila ng armadong pangkat na dumukot sa mga kasamahan ng asawa ng Bise Alkalde ng Buluan na si Ishmael Mangudadatu at ang kanyang pamilya na patungo noon sa upisina ng Commission on Elections sa Shariff Aguak para magsumite ng papeles sa kandidatura ni Ishmael Mangudadatu sa pagkagubernador ng Maguindanao.