COTABATO CITY, Philippines --- A former barangay chairman and her daughter survived an attack by gunmen that fired assault rifles at their house in a roadside village in Kidapawan City Monday.
Bai Inday Patadon, former chairperson of Barangay Patadon, and her daughter, Jasmin, a government education official, were inside their house when the suspects armed with M14 and M16 assault rifles fired at the house and shattered the glass windows. The Patadons were able to duck for cover.
The Patadons then crawled out of their house as the gunmen fired more shots before the suspects scampered away after sensing that responding barangay watchmen have started closing in.
Supt. Joseph Semillano, chief of the Kidapawan City police, said investigators have yet to determine the motive of the gunmen.
The Patadons are convinced that the attempt to kill them could be related to their opposition to the occupation by settlers from nearby Carmen, North Cotabato of a government-owned land in their barangay.
The Patadons told investigators they have earlier reported to North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza the plan of outsiders to occupy government reservations in Barangay Patadon. - John Unson