Three MILF members die in NorCot ambush
COTABATO CITY -Three persons were killed while two others were hurt in a mid-afternoon ambush in Pikit, North Cotabato on Monday, police said.
Captain Mautin Pangandigan, Pikit police chief, said the ambush occurred around 3:30 p.m. in Sitio Dingaya, Barangay Bulol and was triggered by “rido” (family feud) involving Muslim clans, which happened to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Pangandigan, in a radio interview here Tuesday, identified the fatalities as Maan Pananggilan, 32; Unday Abdulkadir, 29; and Mohamed Ahad, 28, all residents of Barangay Rajamuda and members of a local MILF faction.
“Initial investigation revealed that the incident was brought about by a long-standing feud between the victims and the attackers,” he said.
Witnesses said the victims were onboard motorbikes from Barangay Lagunde to Barangay Rajamuda when four gunmen emerged and opened fire on them along a dirt road in Barangay Bulol.
Three of the victims died on the spot while responding cops rushed the two injured victims to the
hospital.
Recovered at the ambush site were empty shells for M14 and M16 rifles and .45 caliber pistol.
Pangandigan said the investigation on the incident is still ongoing.