Maguindanao town councilor gunned down

MAGUINDANAO – A councilor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town was shot dead on Wednesday.

Sahabudin Namli, 42, was talking to his neighbors in Barangay Madia when two men approached and shot him several times.

Namli was declared dead on arrival at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.

Police are eyeing either a grudge or politics as the motive for the killing.

Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello of the Maguindanao police said they are initiating measures to prevent hostilities following the incident.

Tello said they received reports that Namli’s relatives are planning to avenge the death of the councilor.

Sources said Namli has relatives in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“Relatives of Councilor Namli should let the police handle the case...Vengeful acts can only create more problems,” Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu ordered a thorough investigation into the killing.