Cops hunt suspect in shooting of NCotabato project exec

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines --- The police have launched a massive hunt for two suspected extortionists that shot and wounded on Saturday an engineer involved in a multi-million irrigation project in the province.

The victim Akmad Pangilamen, 50, of Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao, is now being treated for gunshot wounds he sustained in the attack.

Pangilamen and a companion named Mustapha Galay, 31, were riding a motorcycle together on their way to Aleosan town from the municipal proper of Pikit, both in North Cotabato, when the suspects, also riding on bikes, overtook, blocked their way and opened fire with handguns.

Galay was also wounded in the shooting frenzy.

Senior Inspector Mautin Pangandiman, municipal police chief of Pikit, said investigators are still trying to determine the identities of the culprits and their motive for the attack.

Pangandiman hinted, however, that an old grudge could have led to the near fatal shooting of the engineer.

“But we’re not ruling out the possibility that the suspects were extortionists that tried, but failed to mulct money from Engr. Pangilamen who is working for a firm engaged in an irrigation project in the province,” he said. - John Unson