DEPUTY Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman today condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing of a former official of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in a shooting incident in Cotabato City yesterday.
Police reported that still unknown motorcycle-riding assailants rained gunfire on the vehicle of Ramil Masukat, a former director of the ARMM Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEART), while traversing Ramon Rabago Avenue in Cotabato City.
“We condemn this brazen act of crime committed against Engineer Ramil, who at the time of his death was living a quiet life as a private citizen. May kaaway man o wala, violence should not be tolerated in any form,” Hataman, a former governor of ARMM, declared.
“I call on the police authorities to go after Engineer Ramil’s killers. Putting away the perpetrators of this crime makes our communities a little safer. Kailangang managot ang mga kriminal at mastermind sa pagpatay kay Masukat,” he added.
After the shooting incident, Masukat’s driver was able to drive to a gasoline station near a police station. He expired while he was being treated at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.
Hataman also raised alarm on the rising spate of violence, especially in the areas of Cotabato City and other areas in BARMM.
Just this January and December last year, there were several reports of citizens being killed in Cotabato City: a police officer serving as escort of a Maguindanao del Norte mayor; an incumbent village councilman in Barangay Bagua 1; a traffic enforcer along Rufino Alonzo St.; an electrician in Tulingan Street in Barangay Bagua 2; a Moro patriarch in Barangay Tamontaka 4; and many others.
“Our citizens should feel safe in our streets. Nananawagan ako sa ating mga otoridad na doblehin ang pagsisikap na gawing ligtas ang ating mga komunidad laban sa anumang klase ng karahasan tulad ng nangyari kay Engineer Ramil,” Hataman said.
The Basilan lawmaker condoled with the family of Masukat and vowed to extend any assistance to his loved ones.
“Nakikiramay ako sa pamilya ni Engineer Ramil. Dalangin ko ay hustisya para sa kanyang sinapit,” Hataman expressed.
Aside from being the head of the ARMM-HEART, Masukat was also the director of technical management services at ARMM. He also served as Rajah Buayan Municipal Planning and Development Officer.
