Army, police hunt killers of village chief, 3 others

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27): Army, police hunt killers of village chief, 3 others

Joint police and military personnel have launched a manhunt against a group of gunmen who killed four village officials, including a village chair Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Inspector Rustom Pastolero, police station 3 head, identified the victims as village chair Mokamad “Max” Pasawilan of Barangay Tamontak 1, Cotabato City, councilman Unting Pasawilan, village watchman Jhonny Pasawilan Manisi and Barangay Treasurer Anday Pasawilan Manisi.

Pastolero said village chair Pasawilan and councilman Pasawilan were killed on the spot while Johnny and Anday were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center but were declared dead upon arrival by attending doctors.

Motive of the attack remained unknown as of posting.

According to Pastolero, the victims were at the chairperson’s house on Datu Omar Road, Barangay Balabaran, Cotabato City when unidentified gunmen arrived and opened fire on them at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

”They were talking under a tree when the gunmen arrived and opened fire on them,” Pastolero said.

Quoting witnesses, Pastolero said the suspects fled toward the eastern portion of the village.

Responding police officers recovered several empty shells for .45 cal. Pistol and M-16 Armalite rifle.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/997629