Ex-Maguindanao councilor shot dead

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Gunmen killed in an ambush Saturday a former councilor in Talitay who was an active endorser of relatives aspiring for elective posts in the municipality.

The victim, Ambel Guimadel and wife, Saida, were on their way to Cotabato City from the politically-troubled Talitay town in Maguindanao when they were attacked by gunmen on motorcycles while in Barangay Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Regional Police Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said personnel of the Talitay and Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police offices will cooperate in trying to identify the killers of Guimadel.

Guiamadel was a former president of the association of barangay captains in Talitay, a position that entitled him ex-officio membership in the municipal council.

Responding investigators said the suspects trailed the couple’s orange Toyota Hilux pick-up truck while at Barangay Taviran and opened fire as they got close.

Guimadel, who sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, was declared dead on arrival by doctors in the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

His wife, who was wounded in the attack, is now confined in the same hospital.

Officials of the Maguindanao provincial police said Saturday Guimadel was a staunch supporter of candidates for local positions in Talitay.

Talitay is locked in deadly clan wars involving local politicians.

Mijares has called on relatives of Guiamadel to wait for the result of PRO-BARMM’s investigation on the incident.