Friday Mar, 29 2024 06:10:18 PM

Catholic bloc wants impartial probe on sensational Kabacan carnage

Mindanao Armed Conflict • 10:00 AM Tue Sep 1, 2020
1
By: 
John M. Unson

COTABATO CITY --- The Catholic community in North Cotabato province appealed for an impartial probe on what seemed as a gangland-style execution of nine Moro motorists in Kabacan town Saturday.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of the Diocese of Kidapawan covering Cotabato province said Tuesday he supports the call of central Mindanao sectors for an impartial investigation on the incident.

The victims of the gruesome attack, Kors Salilangan, Sandigan Zailon, Benladin Dimanalao, Musaid Jaiden, Romeo Balatamay, Katindig Kagayawon, Fahad Mandigan, Budsal Lipusan and Tong Guiaman, died from multiple bullet wounds. 

Barangay leaders told reporters the ethnic Maguindanaon motorcycle riders were flagged down by still unidentified men while motoring through a secluded area in the sprawling campus of the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan and shot one after another with assault rifles.

Eight were killed on the spot while the ninth victim, Guiaman, perished in a hospital several hours later. 

Bagaforo, North Cotabato’s Catholic parochial figurehead, also called on Kabacan residents to keep calm and give authorities enough time to identify and prosecute the real culprits. 

“Let us pray for peace. We ask all our leaders, regardless of religions and tribal identities, to work together in putting a closure to this incident,” Bagaforo said.

Col. Henry Villar, director of the North Cotabato provincial police, organized last Monday a special investigation task group, or SITG, to identify the gunmen responsible for the deaths of the nine Moro motorists.

Villar said the SITG shall be composed of representatives from his office, the Kabacan local government unit, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the municipal police station.

“We support all peaceful efforts to solve this case,” Bagaforo said.

North Cotabato Gov, Nancy Catamco, chairperson of the provincial peace and order council, also urged for an extensive probe on the gruesome incident.

Catamco said she will flex her authority in helping the police identify the killers of the nine men for proper prosecution. 

“Meantime, I am appealing to all sectors in the province to avoid speculating on the incident while an investigation is still underway. Let us all remain sober as we face this security challenge,” Catamco said. 

 
 

UK: Bangsamoro one of world’s few successful peace processes

MANILA – The United Kingdom has hailed the creation of the Bangsamoro region as one of the world’s few successful peace processes as it joined...

Antipas LGU releases official list of victims of highway mishap

OFFICIAL list of victims of March 25, 2024 vehicular accident involving passenger van and cargo truck. The list is from the local government of...

Cotabato Light announces April 6 power service interruption

Cotabato Light announcement:  To all our valued customers, please be informed of the scheduled power interruption affecting a portion of...

BARMM has new police regional director

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao Norte - Police Brig. Gen. Prexy Dugas Tanggawohn was installed as new police regional director for the Bangsamoro...

BARMM, Inter-Agency Teams implement OPLAN HARABAS, nets 1 conductor positive for drug use

COTABATO CITY - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangamoro Region and police units in the city conducted on Tuesday "Oplan Harabas" in a...