Village chief, wife slain in ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A barangay chairman and his wife were killed in an ambush by unidentified assailants in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday.

Abobacar Abdul, chairman of Barangay Polloc in Parang, and his wife Baisa died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Abdul was known for his stance against illegal drug activities. He was a supporter of the local police’s campaign against smuggling of Indonesian-made cigarettes to Maguindanao del Norte.

Maj. Christopher Cabugwang, Parang police chief, said the victims were in a pickup truck when the assailants waylaid them in Barangay Sarmiento.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing and identify suspects.