DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/13 December) — A candidate for councilor in Midsayap, North Cotabato was shot dead by a suspected gun-for-hire who was later killed in a shootout with police on Sunday morning.
Police said Bong Mangadta, 43, a resident of Muslim Village, Purok 26, Barangay 76-A here, was gunned down by a still unidentified suspect while he and his wife were sitting outside a sari-sari store in the village.
He was immediately rushed to Davao Doctors Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Senior Insp. Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office said the shooting might have been due to a personal grudge or was politically-motivated since he was running for councilor in Midsayap town, North Cotabato in next year’s election.
A 19-year old eyewitness said he saw the suspect armed with two guns — a .45 caliber pistol and .38 revolver — as he approached Mangadta and fired his pistol at the victim..
The suspect immediately ran towards the vacant lot near SM Ecoland and beside Ecoland 4000 Condominium along Ecowest Drive, this city, as the witness and other concerned citizens chased after him.
The witness revealed that he saw the suspect in the community some three weeks ago.
The witness immediately called for help from members of the TF Davao who were detailed at Ecoland Van Terminal. The TF Davao operatives requested a back-up team to arrest the suspect who engaged the arresting authorities in a firefight.
The suspect died on the spot. His remains were brought to Angel Funeral Homes along Torres St.
Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) 11 recovered from the crime scene a .38 caliber revolver cylinder loaded with one fire cartridge case, two ammunitions, and a Nokia phone.
Authorities also recovered a .45 caliber cartridge case and a slug, which will be subjected for ballistics examination at the Regional Crime Laboratory Office. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)