Sulu education official shot dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An official of the Department of Education in Sulu was killed in an attack by an unidentified assailant in Jolo on Friday.

Sonatria Gaspar, assistant schools division superintendent, died instantly from multiple gunshots to the head, according to Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, Bangsamoro police director.

Gaspar was the second highest education official in Sulu. Her remains were transported to Zamboanga City, where she would be buried according to Muslim traditions.

Investigation showed Gaspar was walking on Bonifacio street in Barangay San Raymundo when the gunman approached and shot her at close range.

Macapaz said he ordered the Sulu and Jolo police to coordinate and identify the killer.

MILF exec slain

Meanwhile, in Cotabato, gunmen shot dead an official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) working as chief of the Bangsamoro Land Transportation Office in Pikit town.

Johnson Endil was cleaning his vehicle in front of his house in Barangay Inug-ug on Friday when two men arrived and shot him.

Emergency responders rushed Endil to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Endil was secretary of the MILF for the Ligawasan area covering Muslim communities in Central Mindanao.

Bangsamoro Transportation and Communications Minister Paisalin Pangandaman Tago condemned the killing and urged witnesses to help police identify the perpetrators.