Ampatuan cop chief killed in ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The police chief of Ampatuan town in Maguindanao and one of his men were killed in an ambush yesterday morning.

Lt. Reynaldo Samson and Cpl. Salipudin Endab died at the scene.

M/Sgt. Renante Quinilayo and Cpls. Rogelio dela Cuesta and Marc Clint Dayaday were wounded.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, said Samson and his team were on their way to Barangay Kapinpilan to serve an arrest warrant when they were waylaid.

The police team was supposed to arrest Kamir Kambal, who is wanted for robbery and intimidation of persons, as part of its ”One-Time, Big Time” operation.

Maguindanao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Judge Anabelle Piang issued the warrant.

Initial investigation showed a group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Boy Jacket was behind the attack.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered its units in Maguindanao to intensify the manhunt for the suspects.

”The PNP is still doing a follow-up operation regarding this unfortunate incident,” police public information officer Brig. Gen. Roderik Augustus Alba said.

Meanwhile, in Apayao, four persons died and another was wounded in a shooting in Purok 2, Barangay Sipa in Sta. Marcela town on Monday night.

Police identified the fatalities as Bong Ramirez, 48; Ryan Soriano, 39; Edmar Aguinaldo, 30, and Norvie Romero, 32. Stephen Jones Salvatiera, 33, was wounded.

The victims and several other villagers were drinking liquor when Romero reportedly pulled out his gun and shot his drinking buddies for no apparent reason.

The suspect then reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

His father, who arrived and reportedly tried to hide the gun used in the shooting, was arrested in a follow-up operation. He faces charges for obstruction of justice. – Artemio Dumlao