8 dead, 1 wounded in North Cotabato attack

MANILA, Philippines — Eight persons were killed while another was wounded in a shooting in Kabacan town in North Cotabato yesterday.

Six of the fatalities were identified as Sagandig Zaylon, Jaidin Musaid, Bin Laden Dimanalo, Catinding Cagayaon and Budsal Jakaria Alipusan, residents of various towns in North Cotabato and Maguindanao. They died at the scene.

Lt. Col. Lino Capellan, Soccsksargen police spokesman, said the victims were on several motorcycles and traversing a provincial road when they were attacked.

Quoting a police report, Capellan said the suspects flagged down the victims and  opened fire.

Local officials claimed the incident was a shootout between the victims and police officers.

There were also reports that warring clans were involved in the shooting.

A report on gmanews.tv quoted Kabacan police chief Maj. Peter Pinalgan as saying that police officers were not behind the attack.

Pinalgan said police officers merely responded to the shooting and conducted pursuit operations for the perpetrators.

He said the lone survivor was brought to the Kabacan Polymedic Hospital for treatment.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco, chairperson of the provincial peace and order council ordered the Kabacan municipal government and local police to investigate the incident. –  John Unson