Cop killed in Cotabato City

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

The slain policeman, PO1 Danilo Sulatre, was riding his motorcycle on his way home to the Notre Dame Village in Cotabato City when one of two men riding a motorcycle together trailing behind shot him repeatedly with a .45 caliber 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 at the time of his death.

The suspects, after attacking from behind,  sped away, leaving the bloodied Sulatre sprawled on the road. The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital where he was rushed by responding barangay officials.

Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, director of the Cotabato City police, said investigators are still trying to determine the identities of Sulatre’s killers and their motive for the attack.

Preceding the incident was the murder on Saturday in Isulan, capital town of Sultan Kudarat, of retired Senior Supt. Teofilo Kinazo, who was also killed by two men riding a motorcycle together.

The 66-year-old Kinazo was driving his Toyota Hilux pickup truck en route to the public market of Isulan when the suspects overtook his vehicle, blocked his path and opened fire with handguns, killing him on the spot.

Senior Supt. Rex dela Rosa, director of the Sultan Kudarat police, said investigators are still clueless on who could have pulled off the killing of Kinazo at a busy spot of a highway in Barangay Kenram in Isulan.  - John Unson