TWO candidates for barangay elections and one other were killed in a shooting incident in Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City, on Monday night, the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) said.
The victims were identified as barangay kagawad candidates Nur-Moqtadin Butucan and Alfar Singh Ayunan Pasawiran, as well as Faisal Abas.
Injured were Saipul Sapalon and Fajeed Daud.
PRO BAR chief Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza said the victims went to the area to hang posters as part of their campaign for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
While hanging posters, the suspects suddenly fired shots at the victims.
Authorities conducted pursuit and clearing operations that resulted in the arrest of the 12 suspects.
Twelve suspects, including barangay chairperson candidate Juhalidin Ladesla Abdul or “Boyong” and police officer Police Master Sergeant Pauti Dianal Mamalapat, have been detained.
Other detained suspects were identified as Jayson Manguda Bansuan, Surin Alon Kamad, Daniel Gumat Paguital, Nordin Gueamel Alay, Mishal Malang Mamalapat, Abedin Saban Guinat, Buts Saban Tepay, Dixie Mahinay Garcia, Arman Mamalangkal, and Ronda Midtimbang Bansuan.
Recovered items were the following:
a Springfield Armory caliber.45 pistol with one magazine loaded with seven rounds of ammunition
two Baofeng handheld radios
a Beretta 9mm pistol with two magazines and 25 rounds of ammunition
a caliber 5.56 ArmaLite rifle loaded with magazine and seven rounds of ammunition
Due to the incident, Nobleza said the police will consider placing barangays Rosary Heights 12 and Kalanganan in the red category for election areas of concern.
