2 women slain by suspected hired killers in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Two women were killed by suspected hired killers Friday in separate attacks here and in nearby Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The fatalities were identified as Baibon Subido, 24 and Josephine Hampac, 52.

Subido was killed on the spot when a still unidentified gunman shot her twice with a caliber .45 pistol while crossing a bridge in Espino District west of Cotabato City.

Investigators are still to determine the identity of Subido’s assailant, who casually walked away from the scene.

Barangay officials are convinced the suspect was a hired killer.

The incident was preceded by the fatal shooting of Hampac, a businesswoman in Barangay Tenorio in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, some eight kilometers southwest of Cotabato City.

A gunman, disguised as a customer, pretended to buy something from Hampac’s roadside store and as he came close, opened fire at the victim and her spouse, both seated beside each other in one corner of the establishment.

Hampac’s husband survived the attack unscathed.

The suspect managed to escape even before responding policemen and barangay officials could reach the scene.