COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 11 July) – A Maguindanao barangay captain and two of his companions were killed in an ambush here Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Datu Nurodin Mangandian Guiaman, 34, chairperson of Barangay Tuka in the municipality of Mamasapano, expired 6:30 last night while undergoing medication.
The slain chairman’s wife, Alwaida Guiaman, 28, was wounded and now recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.
His companions – barangay treasurer Sindatu Agao, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) member Basser Guiaman, 42 – died instantly while still inside the gray Toyota Vios when armed riding-in-tandem suspects stormed them with gun fires just after they visited a local bank in the city.
Citing reports from Police Station 1, Col. Portia Manalad, Cotabato City police director, said all the victims were in the car with temporary license plate number 111209 when six gunmen riding three separate motorcycles opened fire on them along Notre Dame Avenue near its junction with Quezon Avenue at about 1:45 p.m.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) found two caliber .45 pistols inside the car, believed to have been used by the victims in an attempt to defend themselves.
Police said Guiaman’s pistol might have jammed as he was trying to fire at their attackers.
SOCO reported to have found about 40 empty shells on the road from caliber .45 and 9mm pistols.
Police investigators are looking at “rido” (family feud) as possible motive of the ambush. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)