NPAs tagged in ambush on Manobo leader in North Cotabato town

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Security officials believe communist rebels are behind the fatal ambush Wednesday of a municipal representative of the Manobo in upland Magpet town.

Antonio Panday Takinan, 50, died on the spot from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack that also injured his companions Robello Tambunan, 64, and barangay watchman Rene Soriano, 49.

Takinan was an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Bayan in Magpet, representing the local hinterland indigenous communities.

Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of Police Regional Office-12, said six men armed with .45 caliber pistols and M-16 assault rifles attacked the victims while on their way home from the town proper of Magpet.

The attackers immediately fled to a nearby highland overlooking the scene of the ambush.

Soriano and Tambunan were immediately rushed to a hospital by responding personnel of the Magpet municipal police and barangay leaders backed by volunteer community watchmen.

Army officials based in North Cotabato said they are convinced that the ambushers were guerrillas of the New People’s Army.

Units of the NPA in North Cotabato province have been suspected of retaliation against tribal leaders they suspect of working with the police and military.

NPAs in the province are also feared for their practice extorting money from villagers.

"Investigators are still working on that case. We need to give them enough time to accomplish their task," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said their regional director, Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, has ordered the North Cotabato provincial police to dispatch intelligence agents to Magpet to help local probers identify the culprits for prosecution.