Barangay exec's security aides shot dead in NCotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shot dead two security escorts of a barangay chairman in a daring ambush in Banisilan town in North Cotabato on Tuesday.

 

The fatalities identified as Takanda Mamukao and Muslimin Ampuan were riding motorcycles and were on their way to Midsayap town along with Sonny Kadil, chairman of Barangay Pantar in Banisilan, when their assailants emerged from one side of the highway and shot them with assault rifles.

 

Kadil survived the ambush unscathed. He has tagged followers of the MILF’s Commander Faron as behind the attack.

 

Local officials said Faron and his men are locked in a “rido” or clan war with Kadil’s clan, precipitated by a rivalry over the leadership of Barangay Pantar and squabbles for control of arable lands in the area.

 

North Cotabato’s police director, Senior Superintendent Danilo Peralta, said more policemen have been deployed in Banisilan to help pacify the two groups.

 

Peralta has ordered the Banisilan municipal police to investigate the incident extensively and build “airtight” criminal cases against the barangay officials' assailants.

 

The assailants escaped after sensing that soldiers and militiamen from a nearby detachment have started closing in.

 

Banisilan Mayor Betty Allado said she has sent emissaries to the families of the slain security escorts of Kadil to convince them not to retaliate and allow the police to prosecute the culprits instead.

 

Kadil said his escorts were not carrying firearms as they were complying with the gun ban imposed last January 13 by the Commission on Elections.

 

The Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over Banisilan town has recommended to the police to involve the joint government-MILF ceasefire committee in any investigation on the incident to determine the allegations that members of the rebel group indeed perpetrated the atrocity.

 

Lt. Col. Roy Galido, commanding officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers in the area have been directed to help in the efforts of the Banisilan local government to prevent any escalation of hostilities that may arise from the deadly ambush.

 

Under the 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities, the government and the MILF are bound to cooperate in addressing peace and security issues in flashpoint areas covered by the accord.