Two supporters of NC official slain in ambush

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Two men, including a barangay chairman, were killed when gunmen opened fire on a convoy led by a provincial board member in Pikit, North Cotabato yesterday.

Pikit’s police chief, Inspector Elias Dandan, said North Cotabato board member Farida Malingco and her companions were on their way to remote Barangay Kabasalan when they were waylaid, killing Tugaya Nur and Edris Maduli.

Maduli was chairman of Barangay Bulol, a known bailiwick of Malingco, who earlier had announced her plan to run for mayor of Pikit, a municipality of mixed Muslim and Christian residents.

Dandan was quick to downplay the attack as possibly due to the involvement of Nur and Maduli in a long-time rido (clan war) with an equally armed family.

Malingco and the two fatalities, along with the board member’s other political supporters, were on their way to Barangay Kabasalan for a peace dialogue with villagers when their vehicles were sprayed with bullets.

Dandan said responding policemen and civilian volunteers balked at pursuing the ambushers as they escaped to a known enclave of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following a brief chase.

"We did not pursue them anymore because the area is known to be heavily infested with MILF forces and there are certain procedures on running after criminals and terrorists in areas covered by the ceasefire," Dandan said.