COTABATO CITY — Three people were killed and another was wounded in separate gun attacks in Maguindanao provinces on Thursday, Aug. 20, despite the implementation of an election gun ban ahead of next month’s Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, police said.
Two of the victims were killed when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a Hyundai pickup truck along the national highway in Barangay Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, shortly after noon.
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Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the victims were traveling in the pickup and passing through a portion of the highway undergoing road repairs when the gunmen opened fire.
Killed were businessman Kamarudin Mangansakan Ebus of Penafrancia Village, Cotabato City, and his driver, Mohalidin Latip Esmael. Kenedie Abdul Adin, a laborer and also a resident of Cotabato City, was wounded.
Salanguit said the victims were heading to Cotabato City from Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, when they were attacked about 200 meters from an Army checkpoint.
Police launched a manhunt for the gunmen and were investigating the motive and identities of those behind the attack.
At about 8 p.m. Thursday, an unidentified gunman shot and killed tricycle driver Chopin Mohammad Blah along the diversion road in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Blah was declared dead on arrival at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, police said.
Police are continuing their investigation into the second shooting.
The attacks occurred while police and military authorities were implementing an election gun ban ahead of next month’s Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election. /dp
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