Killers of Datu Saudi Ampatuan vice mayor identified

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines —  Police vowed a speedy prosecution against guerillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front implicated in the killing of Vice Mayor Anwar Sindatok of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Police Superintendent Nixon Muksan, director of the Maguindanao provincial police, on Wednesday said investigators are now preparing criminal charges against the culprits suspected to be behind the killing of the official on Sunday.

Von Al-Haq, spokesman of the MILF's self-styled Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces confirmed to reporters early these week that several guerrillas were indeed involved in the atrocity, but declined to reveal their names pending the filing of criminal charges against them.

Al-Haq said the suspects belong to the MILF's 118th Base Command, touted as the largest rebel group in the second district of Maguindanao, led by Imam Wahid Tundok, a foreign-trained cleric.

Talks have been spreading around since Monday claiming that the suspects killed Sindatok on mere suspicion that he helped the police locate their mayor, Samsudin Dimaukom, during an anti-narcotics operation that led to his death on October 28.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier tagged Dimaukom as among the politicians on Malacanang's list of large-scale drug-traffickers in the country.

Three of Dimaukom's slain companions were closely related by blood to senior commanders in the MILF's 118th Base Command, according to members of the municipal peace and order councils in Datu Saudi Ampatuan and nearby towns.

Sindatok assumed as vice mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan after the death of Dimaukom, whose post was taken over by his spouse, Anida, the incumbent vice mayor of the municipality. The succession is based on a rule under the Local Government Code.

Dimaukom and his wife were running mates when they aspired for Datu Saudi Ampatuan's mayoral and vice mayoral posts, respectively, during the May 9, 2016 elections.

Muksan said investigators have enlisted the support of local religious leaders in putting up an airtight case against the killers of Sindatok.

Sindatok assumed as vice mayor for being the top municipal councilor. He garnered the highest number of votes from among aspirants for seats in the Sangguniang Bayan during the May local electoral exercise.

Al-Haq said the MILF central leadership has deployed non-resident commanders to Datu Saudi to help defuse the brewing tension between relatives of Sindatok and the families of his killers.