DAVAO CITY — Three persons were killed while two others were wounded in a shooting incident at Barangay RH-12, Cotabato City Monday night.
The incident happened eight (8) days before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Cotabato City Police Director PCol. Querubin Manalang Jr. in an interview reporters early Tuesday said they received reports that a group of candidates were harassed by another group of candidates in Barangay RH12 and upon verification the police discovered that two people were killed while two otehrs were wounded.
Manalang said the victims were putting up election campaign materials when another group came in and reportedly harrassed them.
Cotabato City police spokesperson Colonel Carmelo Mungkas identified the victims as Nur Muktadin Butucan, candidate for Barangay Councilman in Barangay Rosary Heights-12; Alfara Ayunan Pasawilan candidate for Barangay Councilman in Barangay Kalanganan 2 and, Faizal Abas, a resident of Kalanganan, Cotabato City Police.
Cotabato City Police Director PCol. Querubin Manalang Jr. in an interview with Radyo bandera Cotabato early Tuesday said they received reports that a group of candidates was harassed by another group of candidates in Barangay RH12.
Manalang said the victims were putting up elections materials and paraphernalia.
The wounded individuals were identified as Saipol Sapalon and Fayed Daud, all residents of Barangay Kalanganan.
This developed as the police has arrested 12 individuals and are now at the custody of Police Station 1 in Cotabato City. Ang 12 naaresto ay sumusunod:
1.Juhalidin Ladesla Abdul alias “Boyong,” 40 years old, male, married, and a candidate for Barangay Chairman of Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City ;
2. Police M/Sgt Pauti Dianal Mamalapat, male, 49 years old, and a resident of Sousa Extention, Cotabato City;
3.Jayson Manguda Bansuan, 23 years old, male, student, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur
4. Surin Alon Kamad, 19 years old, male, student, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur;
5.Daniel Gumat Paguital, 36 years old, male, married, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur;
6. Nordin Gueamel Alay, 28 years old, male, married, farmer, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur;
7. Mishal Malang Mamalapat, 25 years old, male, married, self-employed, and a resident of Sousa Extension, Cotabato City;
8. Abedin Saban Guinat, 27 years old, male, single, farmer, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur;
9.Buts Saban Tepay, 20 years old, male, married, farmer, and a resident of Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur;
10.Dixie Mahinay Garcia. 40 years old, male, married, driver, and a resident of Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City;
11. Arman Mamalangkal, 23 years old, male, single, construction worker, and a resident of Bagua 2, Cotabato City; and
12.Ronda Midtimbang Bansuan, 32 years old, female, married, social worker, and a resident of Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City.
During the hot pursuit operations conducted by the police and members of the Philippine Marines, they recovered two handheld radio, three firearms which included: Springfield Armory cal .45 pistol; 9mm pistol and Caliber 5.56 Armalite rifle with bullets and magazines, but authorities have yet to be determined if those recovered were the same firearms used in the shooting rampage.
Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao condemned the incident as he called on the residents to stay calm and vigilant.
The members of Philippine Marines have locked the entrance of Barangay RH-12 after the incident.
