3 dead in Maguindanao shooting

MANILA, Philippines - Three persons were killed when a man went on a shooting rampage during a gathering at the house of the vice mayor of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao Sunday afternoon, the military reported yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Nasser Alba, Andala Makapalao of Barangay Bagoenged, Pagalungan town and gunman Rahib Ali.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, spokesman for the Army’s 602nd Infantry Battalion, said Ali, using an M-16 rifle, shot at Mokamad Andoy, former Association of Barangay Captain president of Pagalungan and his former boss, at the house of Vice Mayor Annie Montawal in Barangay Tunggol before 3 p.m.

Ali was killed in a firefight with pursuing militiamen, Bulao said.