Philippine National Police-BARMM Police Regional Office director PBGen. Allan Nobleza created Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Silongan on April 19 following the daring daylight shooting of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur Councilor Demson Dagloc Silongan.
Silongan was shot dead in an attack just outside the Datu Salibo municipal hall on April 17.
Datu Salibo Municipal Police Station revealed that at about 8:22 AM on April 17, Silongan arrived at the municipal hall to attend a Sangguniang Bayan session when he was shot by an unidentified gunman that caused his death.
The attack also injured his driver, Jam Madzig, who was rushed to Abpi-Samama Lying-In Clinic and Medical Hospital for treatment.
“Police from Datu Salibo MPS and 1402nd Regional Mobile Force Company conducted a hot pursuit operation to arrest the perpetrators,” Nobleza said.
Nobleza said that a dragnet checkpoint was also established in collaboration with the AFP detachment in the area, and police operatives are now conducting thorough investigations to determine the motives and identity of suspects.
He added that a total of 13 incidents involving Elected Government Officials (EGO) since the start of 2023.
“Six of the attacks were already cleared, 1 solved, and 6 still under investigation. The Special Task Force on EGO will be activated as an investigating body that will look into cases of violence committed against Elected Government Officials. The PRO-BARMM has been relentless in its efforts to solve these cases so that justice may be served,” Nobleza said.
Nobleza also directed all unit commanders to intensify law enforcement efforts and to strictly enforce security measures in preparation for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
“I direct authorities to increase intelligence gathering, tighten up monitoring of political hotspots, and set up more checkpoints to deter lawless elements from engaging in all forms of criminality,” Nobleza said.
