Barangay chairman in NCotabato town dead in ambush

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Gunmen killed in an ambush Tuesday dawn a Moro barangay chairman in Alamada town, authorities said.

Captain Tony Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, said Tanat Salama of Barangay Salama, a secluded district in the hinterland Alamada town, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

Salama was to seek re-election for chairmanship of Barangay Salama in next month’s elections.

The victim was on his way to Barangay Kitub, also in Alamada, on board a motorcycle when the gunmen, positioned at both sides of the road, flagged him down and opened fire with assault rifles.

A Moro member of the North Cotabato provincial board, Kelly Antao, said relatives of Salama have asked the police to identify the ambushers and prosecute them.

Antao said he told Salama’s relatives re  to refrain from retaliating.