(UPDATE) MILF leader, village official gunned down in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and a village official were shot to death by unidentified suspects in southern Philippines yesterday, a police official said today.

Town police chief Senior Inspector Gary Marfil identified the victims as Manubakan Abdul, alias Commander Garrison, of the MILF' s 108th Base Command, and his nephew Abdul Karim Dimapalao Maslamama, a councilor of Midconding village in Gen. Salipada Pendatun town, Maguindanao province.

Marfil said the two were aboard a motorcycle and were traveling along Romualdez village in President Quirino town, Sultan Kudarat province on Wednesday afternoon when they were shot by two motorcycle-riding suspects.

He said local authorities are still investigating the identities of the suspects and their motive.

The MILF, the largest Muslim separatist group in the country, signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government in March.