Off-duty cop shot dead while praying in Lanao del Sur mosque

COTABATO CITY — A gunman shot dead an off-duty policeman while he was praying inside a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper in Madamba, Lanao del Sur on Saturday night, June 20.

Local officials and Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, separately told reporters on Sunday that the victim, Chief Master Sgt. Alioden Sarangani, died instantly from bullet wounds to the head.

Sarangani was performing isha, the last of the five daily Islamic prayers, inside a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper when a man approached from behind, pulled out a pistol and repeatedly shot him in the head.

The assailant ran away amid the commotion among other worshippers after gunshots reverberated through the mosque.

Sarangani, who was from a prominent Maranao clan in Barangay Tungantungan in Madalum, Lanao del Sur, was assigned to the Madamba Municipal Police Station.

Probe underway

Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, director of PRO-BAR, said Sunday that local officials and investigators from the Madamba police force are working together to resolve the case.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. condemned the killing and assured support for efforts by PRO-BAR units in the province to identify Sarangani’s killer for prosecution.

Adiong also offered a cash reward to anyone who can help police and local officials in Madamba identify the gunman.