By Edwin O. Fernandez
COTABATO CITY, July 17 (PNA) — Police authorities in North Cotabato have launched manhunt against gunmen who shot dead a man and seriously wounded another as the Muslims celebrate Eid’l Fitr Friday.
Unidentified gunmen on board a motorbike shot dead Abedin Sumbaga, a former bus conductor of Weena Bus Company, while he was walking in Barangay Batulawan, Pikit at 5:30 p.m. Friday, according to Sr. Insp. Sindatu Karim.
Karim, Pikit police chief, said the victim was walking at a road side when two men riding tandem on a motorbike approached him from behind and fired two shots from cal. 45 pistol.
Karim said witnesses have identified the gunmen but withheld information pending their arrest.
He said negotiations were on going with the suspects’ families for their peaceful surrender.
Earlier Friday, two men riding on a motorbike also shot and seriously wounded a Muslim leader in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Supt. Reynante delos Santos, Midsayap police chief, said the victim, Eddie Kabalu Felmin, 45, alias Commander King Size, was washing his car in front of his house in Barangay Poblacion 7 when shot.
Felmin, a member of the influential Muslim Council of Elders, sustained gunshot wounds from cal. 45 pistol on his chest and head.
He is critical condition at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Midsayap.
Delos Santos said personal grudge could be the motive of the attackers.
No one has claimed responsibility in the shooting of Felmin whose main work, as council of elders member, was to peacefully settle family feud or “rido” among Moro families in Midsayap and nearby areas.
Both delos Santos and Karim vowed to intensify manhunt against the suspect and put a stop to the proliferation of loose firearms in their respective areas of assignment. (PNA)