B’gay head, son killed

COTABATO CITY – A barangay chairman in Kabacan, North Cotabato and his 20-year-old son were killed in an ambush yesterday, police said.

Kabacan police chief Meraluna Ortega said Puto Mantawil, 52, chairman of Barangay Buluan, a secluded village in the town, and his son Gabby were on their way to the town proper on board a motorcycle when they were attacked.

Investigators found empty shells from M-14, M-16 and caliber .30 Garand rifles in the ambush scene. Ortega said the ambushers fled with Mantawil’s M-16 rifle.

Ortega said the Mantawils’ kin are convinced that the ambush was “politically motivated.”

Mantawil defeated his seven rivals in the Oct. 29 barangay elections with an overwhelming vote. – John Unson