Cartoonist shot dead in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — An editorial cartoonist who has started making his mark in the industry was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat on Saturday.

Benharl Kahil, 27, died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds in the body, according to Lt. Col. Julius Malcontento, chief of the Lebak police.

Reports said the victim was walking in Barangay Pasandalan when he was killed.

Kahil was also a teacher and art coordinator at the Lebak Legislated National High School. He won first place in the Pitik Bulag 3rd Tagisan Editorial Cartoon Contest held last month.

Probers are looking for witnesses who can give leads on the identity of the assailants.

Student organization College Editors Guild of the Philippines condemned the killing, saying Kahil was a “victim of the culture of violence and impunity in the country. “