Outstanding Mindanao newsman dies in road mishap

KIDAPAWAN CITY – One of the special correspondents of the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner was killed in a road crash in Matalam town in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao.

Mohammad “Moh” Saaduddin, also a news correspondent for The Manila Times, was driving his motorcycle and returning home last week from coverage in Cotabato City when he collided with a truck that killed him instantly. He was only 33.

Moh was tailing the truck being driven by Renald Ramos when it suddenly stalled that led to the collision. The 36-year old Ramos, a resident of Matalam, allegedly told police investigators that his break system malfunctioned.

It was not immediately known whether Moh’s family would file criminal charges against the truck driver.

“It was a terrible loss. Moh was good writer who had that nose for news. He was very good and provided us with in-depth analysis and news stories in Central Mindanao. Many times he broke news and even sent exclusive photos. This is very devastating. He was a good man, a good father and an honest newsman. He shall be remembered as long as we are still here, he was an outstanding correspondent,” said Al Jacinto, the Editor-in-chief of the Mindanao Examiner.

Moh, also an IT expert, was recently in Zamboanga City with two European journalists Lennart Hoffman and Andreas Staahl and travelled to Sulu province for a special documentary on its culture, people and tradition.

Hajji Moh Saaduddin