Muslim cleric killed in Baguio attack

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — A Muslim religious leader was shot dead by masked men in front of an Islamic education institution here yesterday.

Bedejim Abdullah, 55, who also teaches theology at the Philippine Military Academy, died at the scene from four gunshot wounds in the head and chest.

Abdullah, who was instrumental in propagating Islam in this city and the rest of the Cordilleras, was walking on Kayang street when he was killed.

Abdullah’s colleague Samsoden Monib said the victim had no known enemies or business interest in the city.

Monib hinted that Abdullah had been receiving death threats from a fundamentalist Islamic group.

The Baguio police is hoping that footage of closed-circuit television cameras installed at the crime scene would help them identify the assailant and solve the case.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the police to “immediately arrest” the killer and give justice to Abdullah.

Abdullah, now considered as a martyr by Islamic religious leaders and the  Muslim community in the city, was not the first religious leader to be killed.

Monib said a Muslim was killed in Cavite several months ago.

Baguio residents condemned Abdullah’s murder.

The victim’s remains will be buried in a Muslim cemetery in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, in South Cotabato, a police officer was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in Koronadal City on Wednesday.

Police Officer 1 Diamond Mateo Muega, 34, died at the scene from several gunshot wounds, according to Superintendent Benjiel Kirby Bajo, chief of the Koronadal City police.

Muega, a member of the city police’s anti-crime and warrant unit, was conducting a surveillance against a wanted person in  Barangay General P. Santos when he was killed at past 10 p.m.

He was standing along Abrenica street when a motorcyle pulled over.

The motorcycle driver reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Muega several times.

Witnesses said they saw three other men leaving the area as the assailant sped away.

They expressed belief the three were serving as lookouts.

Probers said the killing could be job-related.

Bajo said Muega was an active member of the anti-crime unit and had joined operations that mostly targeted illegal drugs and wanted personalities. – With Ramil Bajo