Barangay councilor dead, companion wounded in Maguindanao town ambush

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines  --- Unidentified gunmen shot dead a barangay councilor and wounded another in a broad daylight attack Monday in a seaside district in Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

The fatality, Saiden Maliga, an ethnic Maguindanaon, was a member of the barangay council in Barangay Purah in nearby Datu Blah Sinsuat town.

Maliga and his companion, Abid Gawad, were riding a motorcycle together on their way to Cotabato City from Barangay Tapian in Datu Odin Sinsuat when their attackers, disguised as motorists, flagged them down,  pretending to borrow mechanical tools.

As Maliga and Gawad pulled over at one side of the road, the suspects pulled out .45 caliber pistols from their waist and shot them both repeatedly.

Maliga was killed on the spot while Gawad sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Gawad said he feigned death by lying on the ground still, as he held his breath.

The gunmen, who spoke to each other in the Maguindanao vernacular, immediately left after sensing that responding barangay officials were approaching the area.

Gawad was rushed to a hospital in Cotabato City for medication.

Police investigators said they  have yet to determine if Maloiga's murder was politically-motivated.

Maliga campaigned for administration candidates in Datu Blah Sinsuat.