Cops prepare charges vs MILF members in murder of Maguindanao town vice mayor

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Cops prepare charges vs MILF members in murder of Maguindanao town vice mayor

Police in Maguindanao said Wednesday investigators are preparing charges against two men believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the murder of Vice Mayor Anwar Sindatok of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao last Sunday.

Supt. Nixon Muksan, Maguindanao police director, said MILF leaders are helping the police in the identification of the perpetrators.

Von Al-Haq, speaking for the BIFF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, confirmed to reporters early these week that some of its members were indeed involved in the murder of Sindatok. He refused to reveal names.

Al-Haq said the suspects belonged to the MILF’s 118th Base Command under the command of Imam Wahid Tundok.

Sindatok, elected as number one councilor, assumed the office of the vice mayor after elected Vice Mayor Anida Dimatukom took the post of her husband, Mayor Samsodin, who was killed in an anti-drug police operation in Makilala, North Cotabato.

Muksan, citing police reports, said Sindatok received two visitors he personally knew and offered them coffee at 7 a.m. on Sunday.

They had a brief talk, then one of the two suspects pulled a cal. 45 pistol and shot Sindatok at close range. Also killed was Sindatok's relative-escort.

The Dimaukom couple were publicly named by President Duterte as among the narco-politicians of Maguindanao. The couple vehemently denied the charges.

The mayor was killed during police anti-drug operation in North Cotabato after intelligence reports he allegedly was transporting a huge amount of illegal drugs along with nine others.

According to Muksan, the police sought the help of local religious leaders to help in bringing justice to the victims and prevent clan wars.

By operation of law on succession, No. 2 Councilor Bailon Dimaukom, wife of Association of Barangay Chairperson president Zaiton Dimaukom and elder brother of Mayor Dimaukom.

Police and elements of 34th Infantry Battalion are deployed in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town to serve as peacekeepers.

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