Newly installed vice mayor shot dead

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Gunmen shot dead yesterday the newly installed vice mayor of this province’s Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, whose mayor was killed in an anti-narcotics operation last month.

Anwar Sindatok was having coffee with some guests at his home when the visitors pulled out their guns and shot him at close range.

Investigators have yet to identify the killers and determine the motive.

Sindatok recently assumed the post, which was left vacant by former vice mayor Anida Dimaukom, who became mayor.

Dimaukom replaced her husband Samsudin Otto Dimaukom, who was killed in an anti-drug operation in Makilala, North Cotabato last month.

Nine of Samsudin’s companions were also killed in the alleged encounter that occurred in Barangay Old Bulatukan on Oct. 28.

The Dimaukoms were running mates in the town’s mayoral race in the May elections.

Sindatok garnered the highest number of votes for municipal councilors.

The Local Government Code provides that the councilor with the highest number of votes shall assume as vice mayor should the post become vacant.

Text messages circulated before noon yesterday alleging that relatives of the fatalities in the Makilala incident suspected Sindatok as the one who pinpointed Samsudin’s convoy to anti-narcotics agents stationed at a checkpoint.