COA staff shot dead in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A staff of the regional office of the Commission on Audit (COA) was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen here Friday night.

Oliver Samonte, 53, an inspector of government-funded projects monitored by the COA Central Mindanao office, was on a motorcycle when he was attacked by one of the assailants who were believed to have been tailing him, said Senior Inspector Ronaldo Delantin, city police Station 2 commander.

Samonte died on the scene due to a gunshot wound in the head. Relatives said the victim has no known enemies.

Investigators have yet to determine if the killing was work-related or due to an old grudge.

Authorities expressed the belief the assailants were members of a gun-for-hire group that has been operating in the city since 2010.