COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Gunmen killed a candidate for the municipal council of Northern Kabuntalan in Maguindanao del Norte in an ambush late Saturday in nearby Midsayap town.
According to Midsayap town police, candidate Jerry Beltran Dopredo, 46, was driving his motorcycle when two men, onboard another motorcycle, shot him in the head in Barangay Central Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato.
Police and local authorities said Dopredo died on the spot from gunshot wounds. Witnesses said his attackers escaped.
Dopredo’s relatives told reporters that they are convinced the murder was politically motivated.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, Bangsamoro regional police director, ordered the Maguindanao del Norte police office to send intelligence agents to help the Midsayap police in its investigation.