3 ‘salvage’ victims found in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The bullet-riddled bodies of three persons, including a woman, believed to be victims of summary execution, were discovered near a school in Maguindanao Friday night.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, said police have yet to establish the identities of the victims, whose bodies were found near a white Toyota Corolla (TEM-996) parked in front of Pendililang Elementary School in Barangay Lower Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Petinglay said military and police probers are still investigating the motive for the killing, which was allegedly perpetrated by an armed group headed by a certain Yusop Salih alias ”Bisaya.” The group is reportedly engaged in various criminal activities in Maguindanao.

“The perpetrators fled toward Barangay Kitango on board a motorcycle,” she said.

Senior Superintendent Noel Armilla, officer-in-charge of the Autonomous Region in Muslim  Mindanao  police, said the victims could have been shot outside their car.

“The incident was not an ambush...the car has no bullet holes,” Armilla said.