2 brgy kagawad bets, another person killed in Cotabato shooting

Three people, including poll candidates, were killed in a shooting incident in Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City, on Monday night, the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) said.

Based on the police report, the three fatalities were identified as barangay kagawad candidates Nur-Moqtadin Butucan and Alfar Singh Ayunan Pasawiran, as well as resident Faisal Abas.

Two people were wounded, identified as Saipul Sapalon and Fajeed Daud.

PRO BAR chief Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza said the victims went to the area to hang posters as part of their campaign for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

While hanging posters, the suspects suddenly fired shots at the victims.

Authorities conducted pursuit and clearing operations that resulted in the arrest of the 12 suspects.

Twelve suspects, including barangay chairperson candidate Juhalidin Ladesla Abdul or “Boyong” and police officer Police Master Sergeant Pauti Dianal Mamalapat, have been detained.

Other detained suspects were identified as Jayson Manguda Bansuan, Surin Alon Kamad, Daniel Gumat Paguital, Nordin Gueamel Alay, Mishal Malang Mamalapat, Abedin Saban Guinat, Buts Saban Tepay, Dixie Mahinay Garcia, Arman Mamalangkal, and Ronda Midtimbang Bansuan.

Recovered items were the following:

• a Springfield Armory caliber.45 pistol with one magazine loaded with seven rounds of ammunition
• two Baofeng handheld radios
• a Beretta 9mm pistol with two magazines and 25 rounds of ammunition
• a caliber 5.56 ArmaLite rifle loaded with magazine and seven rounds of ammunition

Cotabato City Police chief Police Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr. said the suspects would undergo a paraffin test to determine if their hands had gunpowder residue, according to the ''24 Oras'' report by Abbey Caballero of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao. 

The Cotabato City government said it was ''deeply saddened and angered'' by the incident. 

''Despite the imposition of the Comelec gun ban, it is alarming and unacceptable that individuals continue to resort to firearms and violence. Let this incident serve as a stark reminder of the grave consequences when rules and laws are disregarded,'' it said in a statement.

Those responsible for the killings will not go unpunished, the city government said.

''The blatant defiance of the gun ban will not be tolerated, and those accountable will face severe consequences,'' it said. 

Due to the incident, Nobleza said the police will consider placing barangays Rosary Heights 12 and Kalanganan in the red category for election areas of concern.

As of Monday, 109 incidents of violence suspected to be related to the polls have been monitored, according to the Philippine National Police. Of this number, 22 have been confirmed to be election-related.

A total of 361 barangays are considered election areas of concern under the red category.

Due to violations of the election gun ban, a total of 1,739 individuals have been arrested, and 1,310 firearms have been confiscated. —VBL, GMA Integrated News