Murder charges filed vs 17 Lanao Norte gunmen

MANILA, Philippines - Multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases were filed before the Lanao del Norte provincial prosecutor’s office on Friday against 17 men suspected to be behind the ambush on the convoy of a Lanao del Norte mayor last month.

Charged were Nasser Alando, Tamanaan Alando, Pendaton Acub-Alando, Faisal Aladin and Salahodin all surnamed Solaiman;  Abdul Alando, Opao Alando, Budo Alando, Ayan Alando, Bernal Acub, Bany Alando, Alimoon Alando, Slaman Alando, Caucad Alando, Plawan Alando and Soliman Baunto.

The carnage claimed the lives of 13 people and wounded eight others, including Nunungan town Mayor Abdulmalik Manamparan.

A Special Investigation Task Group headed by Lanao del Norte police provincial director Senior Superintendent Gerardo Rosales said witnesses identified the suspects in their respective affidavits.

Rosales said the Alando and Manamparan families have been locked up in rido  or clan war.

While he could not say who masterminded the attack, Rosales said the perpetrators were members of an armed family based in Nunungan.

“We don’t have the arrest warrant yet as the case is still in the fiscal’s office,” Rosales said.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, 1st Infantry Division commander, said they are just waiting for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the suspects.

Manamparan is running for vice mayor and is  the running  mate of his son, Abdulmalik Jr.

Manamparan and his supporters had just attended a campaign rally and were in three dump trucks when their convoy was strafed.

Manamparan’s daughter, Adiana, was among the fatalities.