SK CHAIR SLAIN IN COTABATO CITY AMBUSH; BROTHER, COP HURT

A CHAIRMAN of the Sangguniang Kabataan on Saturday was killed while  two others were injured in an ambush by riding-in-tandem armed men in Cotabato City.

Cotabato City police director Col. Jibin Bongcayao identified the fatality as Prince Mohaz Matanog, the SK chairperson of Bgy. Poblacion 5, and a resident of Cotabato City.

Matanog’s brother, Muamar, and a responding police officer was injured.

The Matanogs were traveling in a Toyota Raze car when upon reaching Sinsuat Avenue corner Jose Lim St. near the city plaza, two men on a motorcycle suddenly appeared and shot them repeatedly past 10 a.m. Saturday.

Although wounded, Matanog continued driving the vehicle, but the suspects chased them while still firing toward their car.

Policemen on beat patrol chased the gunmen but were also shot by the suspects until a gunfight ensued, wounding one police officer.

The suspects sped away on a motorbike.

The wounded victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, where the SK chair was declared dead on arrival.

Scene of the Crime operatives recovered at the crime scene 94 empty shells from the firearms used by the suspects and the responding policemen.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao condemned the daylight shooting and offered a P500,000 reward for the arrest of the suspects.

The Bangsamoro Youth Commission, where Matanog was a member, also denounced the killing of Matanog.