North Cotabato village chair shot dead in front of horrified wife

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A village chieftain in Pikit, North Cotabato was killed in an ambush whileon his way to the town center Tuesday, police said.Supt. Bernard Tayong, spokesperson for the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), identified the victim as Pecson Alang Mangansakan, 60, chairperson of Barangay Silik in Pikit.Mangansakan was driving a government-owned Suzuki multi-cab with temporary plate number 1201-07307 when the suspects, both on board a motorbike, shot him thrice on his body and chest using a caliber 45 pistol.The victim was with his wife, Marela, when the ambush occurred.The horrified wife survived the attack.Quoting initial investigation report, Chief Inspector Sindatu Karim, Pikit police chief, said the gunmen were seentailing the victim since the couple left Barangay Silik, about 30 minutes before the incident.The victim sustained bullet wounds on his chest and was declared dead upon arrival at the Cruzado Medical Hospital in Poblacion, Pikit.Authorities recovered four spent shells from caliber 45 pistol which the suspects used.Tayong said investigators are still determining the motive. He did not say whether or not Mangansakan was also armed or has armed security escorts.Mangansakan was the third barangay official in North Cotabato killed in ambush since January last year triggered bypersonal grudge or clan feuds.The victim is an uncle of Pikit Vice Mayor Don Mangansakan who is seeking the mayoralty post of Pikit in this year's elections.Brig. Gen. Noel Clement, 602nd Army brigade chief, said troops have been deployed to help the police in tracking down the gunmen.The remains of Mangansakan has been brought to his birth place, Barangay Paidu Pulangi, also in Pikit, where he will be buried within 24 hours.