For ignoring inspection, ARMM worker shot dead

COTABATO CITY — Ignoring a checkpoint for inspection cost the life of an employee of the natural resources department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Security men gunned down Zacaria Solaiman last Friday morning after he sped past a checkpoint at the entrance of the 32-hectare ARMM compound here, where security was tightened following a grenade explosion the previous day.

Senior Superintendent Peraco Macacua, city police chief, said Solaiman was on his way to his office in the regional government compound on board a motorcycle when policemen and security guards tried to stop him for inspection.

But instead of pulling over, Solaiman sped away, forcing the security personnel to give chase and fire at him.

Macacua said probers found a caliber .45 pistol tucked in Solaiman’s waist. The victim’s officemates confirmed that he carried the handgun for protection.

The incident came less than 24 hours after motorcycle-riding men tossed a grenade at the gate of the ARMM compound, killing a security guard, a certain Manny Mayo, and wounding two others, including a policeman. Police were still clueless on the attack.

Macacua said security has been beefed up in the ARMM compound following the blast, with all vehicles being subjected to inspection.

Less than two months ago, Maguindanao’s provincial environment and natural resources officer, Kahal Kedtag, was wounded in an ambush some 500 meters away from the gate of the ARMM compound. Kedtag’s driver was killed in the attack.