Cops arrest suspect in barangay chairman, son’s ambush in North Cotabato

COTABATO CITY – Policemen arrested yesterday the alleged mastermind in last week’s fatal ambush of a barangay chairman and his son on Kabacan, North Cotabato.

North Cotabato’s police director, Senior Superintendent Lester Camba, said the suspect, Ismael Angguto, voluntarily turned himself in after sensing that pursuing policemen, backed by soldiers and members of a local militia unit, have surrounded his hideout in Barangay Pedtad, Kabacan.

Angguto, an ethnic Maguindanaon, was positively identified by witnesses as the leader of the gunmen that ambushed and killed Putoh Mantawil, 51, newly-elected chairman of Barangay Buluan in Kabacan; and his 21-year-old son, Gabby.

The Mantawils were riding a motorcycle in tandem on their way to the town proper of Kabacan when Angguto and his companions blocked their path and opened fire with military-type automatic weapons, killing them both instantly.

The ambushers managed to escape to nearby Barangay Pedtad in the same town, where they sought refuge in an enclave of rogue secessionist rebels there.

Angguto and his followers took with them the M-16 rifle of Mantawil as they escaped.

Camba said Angguto’s whereabouts was traced by pursuing government operatives with the help of religious leaders and residents in Barangay Pedtad.

Angguto is a known relative of a candidate who ran for chairman of Barangay Buluan whom Mantawil defeated during the Oct. 29 barangay polls.

Camba said they are certain the killing of the Mantawils was politically-motivated.   – John Unson