2 killed in North Cotabato ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Masked men killed in ambush a retired member of the now defunct Philippine Constabulary and his driver in a dawn attack in Matalam town in North Cotabato.

The chief of the Matalam municipal police, Senior Inspector Elias Dandan, said investigators are still trying to determine if the fatal ambush of Felixberto Badayos and his driver, Danny Simon, was election-related.

The victims were on board a Green Isuzu Highlander, bearing license plates LDG 620, en route to Kidapawan City at about 3:00 a.m. Sunday when the gunmen emerged from one side of the highway and opened fire at their vehicle.

Badayos and Simon, who sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies, died while being rushed to a hospital.

Dandan said there is a possibility that Badayos and Simon were killed by “guns-for-hire” enlisted by an adversary.

Dandan said Badayos had pending civil and criminal cases in local courts.

“We need to give investigators enough time to finish their task of identifying his killers and the real motive for the attack.” Dandan said.

He said the bodies of Badayos and Simon had been brought home to Kidapawan City by relatives.