COTABATO CITY — Police have launched manhunt operations against gunmen who ambushed and killed a village chairman and his armed escort Thursday afternoon in Pikit, North Cotabato.
Senior Insp. SindatuKarim, Pikit police chief, identified the victim as Dats Simon, chairperson of Barangay Bulol, Pikit and his escort BantasAkmad.
Initial investigation showed Simon was driving his Honda motorcycle with his relative-escort when they were ambushed by four gunmen along a dirt road in Barangay Gli-Gli, Pikit at past 3 p.m.
“We have the identities of the suspects,” Karim said in a phone interview. “Our initial investigation showed it was triggered by a family feud,” Karim added. He refused to elaborate.
After killing the victims, the gunmen took Simon’s cal. 45 pistol and fled using two separate motorbikes.
Responding policemen recovered empty shells for M-16 Armalite rifle.
According to Karim, chairman Simon has been very active in the campaign against loose firearms that proliferate in Barangay Gli-Gli.
“He was very active in conflict resolution in his village, mostly family feud involving families identified with Moro armed groups,” the police chief said.
Karim said last year Simon have sought police escorts as he has been receiving death threats due to his intensified campaign against illegal drugs. (PNA)
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