NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Three Islamic missionaries were killed in an ambush staged by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Libungan town the other day.
Usman Badtingao, Abdullah Usman, and Abdullah Guiamel, all of Campo Muslim in Cotabato City, died from gunshot wounds in their bodies.
A companion of the victims, Abdulrakman Andalit, also a preacher, survived unscathed.
Senior Inspector Bernard Tayong, chief of the Libungan municipal police, said the victims, who were on separate motorcycles, were on their way to an Islamic religious forum in Pikit, North Cotabato when they were attacked.
Police said the gunmen were tailing the victims and shot them along the Cotabato-Davao highway in Barangay Baguer, some 30 kilometers from Cotabato City.
Andalit told investigators that he and his companions have no enemies.
Tayong said probers have yet to question relatives of the victims to determine the motive for the attack.