School in Maguindanao torched by losing bet's supporters

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Followers of a defeated candidate for barangay chairman burned down Monday night using kerosene and dried coconut palms a day care school in a district in Montawal town in the province.

Captain Tony Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, said the arsonists were led by Maotan Dalimbang Kasim, who lost in his bid for the chairmanship of Barangay Nabundas during the October 28 barangay polls, and his sibling named Tatoh.

Barangay Nabundas is a secluded area in the northeast of Montawal, a  town in the second district of Maguindanao.

Bulao said local officials have confirmed that the Kasim siblings both belong to the 110th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Bulao said their commanding officer, Brig. Gen. Ademar Tomaro, will file a report on  the arson incident to the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the MILF.

The Montawal municipal police said the day care facility the suspects set on fire was totally razed.

Investigators said the value of the burnt building could be between P420,000 and P500,000. - John Unson