Several residents fleeing Cotabato barangay amid tension

Several residents in Barangay Rosary Heights in Cotabato City have started fleeing following a shooting incident that killed three individuals, including two barangay kagawad candidates.

According to a “24 Oras” report by Abbey Caballero of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, the authorities are on full alert and are now considering placing the barangay under orange or red category areas of concern.

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.

The victims went to the area to hang posters as part of their campaign for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) when unidentified men fired shots at them.

Several parked vehicles were also hit by the gunfire.

The military and the police have deployed personnel to manage the peace and order in the barangay, and urged the residents to return home.

“Bumalik na siguro sila kasi kung nakakakita sila ng mga tangke, mga pulis, mga marines, para sa kaligtasan din nila. Sana hindi nila ma-misinterpret na another gulo na naman. Back to normal na tayo,” said Police Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr., director of the Cotabato City Police Office.

While the investigation is ongoing, the twelve suspects were subjected to a paraffin test to find out which of them fired the gun.

They may be charged with multiple murders with double frustrated murder.

“Magiging implication niyan syempre dadagdagan natin ng pwersa, I-intensify natin ang operation diyan against loose firearms and all other things na may kinalaman sa eleksyon na posibleng makapagpagulo,” said Manalang.—LDF, GMA Integrated News