Pastor, CAFGU die in Maguindanao ambush
Breaking News • 20:55 PM Fri Dec 23, 2016
1,232
By:
Ferdinandh Cabrera
The remains of Pastor Feliz Manipis and his brother, Valentin at Shariff Aguak PNP office. (FC)
SHARIFF AGUAK,
Maguindanao -- A pastor and his brother militiaman were killed in an
ambush after they took a detour to avoid traffic caused by a roadside bomb here
on Wednesday, authorities said today.
Killed were
Pastor Felix Manipis and his brother Valentin, a militiaman assigned in Datu
Unsay, Maguindanao.
Police said
the victims, on board a motorbike, were heading to Barangay Limpogo, Datu Hofer,
Maguindanao. As Army checkpoints were put up following a 7 a.m. roadside
bombing that targeted an Army vehicle along the national highway, the duo
decided to take a detour.
Hours later,
they were found dead with bullets wounds in various parts of the body. The brand new motorbike they were riding was missing.
Lt. Colonel
Aurelio Ballesteros, commander of 1st Mechanized Battalion, said no
one has claimed responsibility for the murder of the pastor and his brother.
Relatives said
they may have been mistaken as Army intelligence operatives in areas where
outlawed Moro rebels operate.
Ballesteros
said the Army had been on red alert since December 1 following intelligence
reports the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters will intensify its offensive
against government troops. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)