Fisherman killed, 2 hurt in Cotabato City ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - A Moro fisherman was killed while his two companions were wounded when gunmen fired at their pumpboat while at a river leading to the city’s west coast on Saturday.

Investigators identified in a belated report the fatality as Usop Omar, who died from gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Omar’s wounded companions, initially identified only as Salih and Maguid, were rushed by responding barangay officials and policemen to a hospital for medication.

Lt. Col. Noly Mapili, commanding officer of Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion, said the victims were shot by gunmen positioned at one side of the river in Sitio Maungan near Barangay Bagua II.

Mapili and the city’s police director, Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, both hinted that an old grudge could have the reason behind the attack.

Mapili said they have been receiving persistent feedback from barangay folks that it was Omar who was the target of the ambushers, led by a certain Mharis Taingan.

Taingan, whose group is armed with M16 and M14 assault rifles and 40 MM shoulder-fire grenade launchers, is allegedly engaged in kidnapping and drug trafficking activities.