ARMM exec shot dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A peace official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was shot dead by a lone assailant here Thursday.

Norodin Manalao, executive director of ARMM’s regional reconciliation and unification commission (RRUC), died at the scene due to 11 gunshot wounds in the body.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, who has ministerial control over the RRUC, condemned Manalao’s murder.

Hataman urged the Cotabato City police to conduct a deeper probe, identify the killer and determine the motive for the attack.

Manalao was waiting for his wife in his vehicle parked near a public market when he was killed. Witnesses said the assailant fled on foot.

Manalao’s duties included settling family feuds in support of the peace process.

Hataman said the victim helped his administration solve clan wars involving Muslim families.