North Cotabato ambush death toll climbs to 9

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — The number of fatalities in an ambush that occurred in Kabacan town in this province on Saturday has climbed to nine from eight.

This developed after the ninth victim died while being treated in a hospital four hours after the incident that occurred at a farming reservation site of the University of Southern Mindanao in Barangay Aringgay at past noon.

The eight others died at the scene from multiple gunshots.

The fatalities were identified as Romeo Balatamay, Benladin Dimanalao, Tong Guiman, Musaid Jaiden, Katindig Kagayawon, Budsal Lipusan, Fahad Mandigan, Kors Salilangan and Sandigan Zailon.

Of the victims, only Guiman was rushed to the hospital, where he died four hours after the ambush.

Probers are still clueless on the identities of the killers and the possible motive for the crime.

The victims were on separate motorcycles on their way to the town proper when they were attacked by unidentified assailants, according to Lt. Ernie John Saratao, deputy chief of the Kabacan police.

The gunmen had escaped before responding police officers arrived at the scene.

The Kabakan police denied speculations that the ambush involved police officers.

It said the officers merely responded to the scene.

Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward and shed light on the incident.

The local police formed a task group that would handle the investigation of the crime.