Former ARMM exec slain

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A former official of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was killed in an attack by unidentified assailants in this city on Sunday night.

Ramil Masukat died while being treated in a hospital, police said.

Masukat and his driver were traveling along Rabago street in Barangay Rosary Heights when motorcycle-riding men ambushed them at around 7 p.m., according to Col. Querubin Manalang Jr., Cotabato City police chief.

Although wounded, Masukat and his companion managed to drive away from the scene of the ambush. Their car hit several vehicles before it stopped at a fuel station near the Cotabato police Station 2.

In 2022, Masukat survived a similar attack that occurred at the border of Shariff Aguak and Mamasapano towns in Maguindanao del Sur. His driver was killed in the incident.

Masukat was former chief of the ARMM’s humanitarian emergency action and response team, which was renamed rapid emergency action on disaster incidence under the present Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman condemned the killing of Masukat.

“Masukat was living a quiet life as a private citizen. He has no known enemies,” Hataman, former ARMM governor, said. — Sheila Crisostomo