Motorcycle-riding gunmen kill cop in Cotabato City

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Unidentified gunmen killed  a beat policeman in Cotabato City on Sunday, a day after two motorcycle-riding men gunned down a retired police officer in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Police Officdr 1 Danilo Sulatre was riding his motorcycle on his way home to the Notre Dame Village in Cotabato City when two men on board another motorcycle appeared from behind and shot him using a .45 pistol.

Sulatre, a member of the city police office, was detailed as security escort of Judge Bansawan Ibrahim of the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Cotabato City.

Barangay officials immediately rushed the injured Sulatre to the hospital, but the police officer was declared dead on arrival.

Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin, director of the Cotabato City police, said investigators have yet to determine the policeman's killers and the motive for the attack.

Retired Senior Superintendent Teofilo Kinazo was also killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat on Saturay.

The 66-year-old Kinazo was driving his Toyota Hilux pickup truck en route to the public market when the suspects overtook his vehicle, blocked his path and opened fire at him. The retired police officer died on the spot.

The police were still clueless on the identity of Kinazo's assailants and motive for the attack.