KORONADAL CITY, June 10 -- Police authorities in Maguindanao del Sur have launched a manhunt operation against gunmen who ambushed and injured an off-duty police officer on Tuesday night in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Capt. Steffi Salanguit, speaking for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said Wednesday that the operation was conducted in coordination with the military units assigned to the towns of Datu Saudi and Datu Salibo.

"Police Staff Sgt. Samsudin Utto Abdullah, 51, was driving his car heading for home from work when unidentified gunmen on a motorbike opened fire on his multi-purpose vehicle at 8 p.m. Tuesday," she said in a phone interview.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand an...