MILF member killed in Cotabato City ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 9, 2025): MILF member killed in Cotabato City ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

ATTACK. Police officers investigate the site where Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members were ambushed in Cotabato City on Wednesday (Jan. 8, 2025). One MILF member was killed and four others were injured. (Photo courtesy of DXMS-Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY – Police are pursuing a gunman who killed a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) member and wounded four others, including two MILF commanders, in an ambush Wednesday afternoon.

Capt. Teofisto Ferrer Jr., city police station 2 chief, identified the victim as Ahma Utto, 25, a resident of Barangay Barurao, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

“It was a case of 'rido' (family feud) in Sultan sa Barongis,” Ferrer said Thursday.

Also injured were MILF field commanders Marathi Felmin and Jaypee Emran, Alladin Utto, all of Sultan sa Barongis, and Tahir Tega Sam, 61, of Cotabato City.

Five other MILF members escaped unharmed.

Ferrer identified the attacker as Kanandok Mukadas, 33, of Sultan sa Barongis.

The victims were heading to Sultan sa Barongis after visiting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao compound when Mukadas attacked them at Sinsuat and Gov. Gutierrez Avenues, Ferrer said.

Mukadas escaped with an accomplice on a motorbike, police said.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao ordered an investigation into why no police officers were at the intersection during the ambush.

“Heads will roll,” Matabalao said if officers were remiss in their duties.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1241381