Ex-barangay chair killed, 4 arrested in Maguindanao clash

A former barangay chairman of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao was killed after he allegedly fought back during the separate serving of search warrants against suspects in the area, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday.

Citing the report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said the suspect, identified as Marcos Manunggal, fired at police authorities.

“Marcos Manunggal, a former barangay chairman and his eight members are responsible in the distribution of drugs in the said barangay,” Sinas said in a statement.

“Aside from illegal drug trading, they are also involved in gun-running and gun for hire activities. They are extorting money from different establishments and some habal-habal drivers,” he added.

According to the PNP,  authorities retrieved a shotgun, four live ammunition for a 12 gauge shotgun, one browning automatic rifle, and four magazines for the rifle among others.

The search warrants were served against the suspects at Barangay Butilen and Barangay Sambulawan.

Meanwhile, four individuals were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. They were identified as Mike Guipal Baadrudin, Nadia Kero, Arbaiya Bangkong Mustapha, and Ali Ebrihim Ebrahim.

The PNP said suspects Datumanot Manunggal and Jaybee Mastura were able to escape.

According to Sinas, Matsura was involved in bombing activities in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Saranggani province.

"After the death of  Tokboy Maguid, AKP leader,  Mastura merged with the group of Abu Turaifie one of the BIFF leaders. He became the SOG team leader and IED expert of the DI-Turaife Group," he said.

"He was responsible [for] the IED explosion incident in a computer shop in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on September 2, 2018 which resulted in the death of 2 persons, leaving two others in critical condition and 11 wounded,” he added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News