Midsayap barangay kapitan survives ambush

COTABATO CITY  – A village chair in North Cotabato is now in critical condition after unidentified gunmen shot him along a busy street in Midsayap, North Cotabato Wednesday.

Lt. Colonel John Calinga, Midsayap town police chief, in his report to Colonel Herny Villar, provincial police director, identified the village official as Norodin Manalasal, chairperson of Barangay Malingao.

Manalasal was on board a village owned vehicle, a multi-cab, traversing Quezon Boulevard, Barangay Poblacion 5, when one of two men riding tandem on motorbike opened fire on him.

The village officials sustained four gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and is now undergoing medication at a private hospital.

It was not clear if Manalasal has armed escorts or not during the attack. His driver escaped unharmed.

Police found four empty shells for cal. 45 pistol.

Witnesses told investigators the suspects who wore bonnets and bull caps escape toward Barnagay Poblacion 6, also in Midsayap.

Calinga said investigation as to the motive and identities of the attackers is on-going. (PNA)