FLASHand Village chair, 4 others die in Maguindanao ambush

COTABATO CITY
- A village chair, a councilor and three other relatives were killed in an
ambush at about 6 p.m. Tuesday in Maguindanao, police and military authorities
today said.

Major Jo-ann
Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division information chief, said the 6th ID received
reports from the ground troops that certain Michael Sinsuat, together with his
companions were waylaid while on board a multi-cab in Barangay Dimapatoy, Datu
Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Barangay
Dimapatoy is just few kilometers from the Army division headquarters.

Senior Insp.
Datu Tulon Pinguiaman, Datu Odin Sinsuat town police chief, identified the
fatalities as Chairperson Michael Sinsuat Dalidig of Barangay Dimapatoy, his
village councilor certain Jonathan Benito, his wife and fellow relatives who sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of their body. They died instantly.

Initial
investigation disclosed that the gunmen used various calibre of firearms based
on the empty shells recovered at the crime scene.

What we
learned the victims came from the house of slain Kagawad Benito when they were
ambushed, we have no lead yet or idea as to the motive of the killing as of
this moment,” Pinguiaman said.

Police manhunt
and follow-up investigation are still under way as of posting.

Maguindanao
Vice-Governor Datu Lester Sinsuat, a relative of the slain victim immediately
rushed to the crime scene tonight, he vehemently condemned the killing.

The Sinsuats are
among the royal and political clans in Maguindanao.