Maguindanao village exec slain

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – A barangay councilman in Parang town was gunned down after performing obligatory nighttime prayer in a seaside mosque on Monday, police said.

The victim, Nakir Basag, was on his way home from the worship site when men armed with M-16 assault rifles blocked his path and opened fire, killing him on the spot.  

Basag was known for his advocacy for efficient barangay governance and against electoral fraud. He was a councilman of Limbayan, a seaside district on Bongo Island, some six kilometers from Parang in the first district of Maguindanao.

He was one of five barangay councilmen who earlier had filed a complaint for abuse of authority, mismanagement and habitual absenteeism against Limbayan chairman Allan Abo.