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COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 29 April) — Police launched a manhunt against two men who shot dead a Maguindanao town councilor upon arrival at the venue of a Muslim wedding Saturday morning,
Councilor Norhashim Ulangkaya, 28, of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao was shot as he entered Lady Shims Restaurant in Barangay Calean in Tacurong City at 10 a.m. according to Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police director.
Ulangkaya was a guest at the wedding.
Supiter said Norma Karatuan, 52 of Barangay Dalagdagan, Mangudadatu town, also in Maguindanao, and one of the guests, was hit by stray bullets.
The two were rushed to the St. Louis Hospital but Ulangkaya expired before reaching the hospital. Karatuan is still confined in the hospital.
Quoting witnesses, Supiter said the two gunmen were seen at the entrance of the restaurant before the shooting, pretending to be guests.
As soon as Ulangkaya entered the venue, one of the two suspects followed him and opened fire at him in front of the horrified crowd. He was hit in the abdomen and right knee.
Supiter said motive of the murder could be personal grudge or “rido” (clan war).
Ulangkaya’s civilian armed escort was invited by the Tacurong City police to shed light on the murder. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)