MILF leader, village exec slain in S. Kudarat ambush

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines – An alleged leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and a barangay official were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in President Quirino town here on Wednesday.

Manubakan Abdul, of the MILF’s 108th Base Command, and his relative Abdulkarim Maslamama were riding a motorcycle on their way to the town proper when the armed men pulled them over and shot them.

Investigators said the victims died at the scene from several gunshot wounds.

Maslamama was a councilor of Barangay Midkunding in S.K. Pendatun town, Maguindanao, some 15 kilometers northwest of President Quirino.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said military intelligence agents are helping the police hunt and identify the assailants.

Abdul was known in the MILF as “Commander Garrison,” who led the MILF group operating in President Quirino and S.K. Pendatun towns.