Maguindanao board candidate, grandson of vice mayor shot dead

KIDAPAWAN CITY— A candidate for Maguindanao provincial board and a grandson of a town vice mayor were killed in a shooting at a public market in Kabacan town in North Cotabato on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, speaking for the Soccsksargen Police Regional Office, said Susan Montawal, an aspirant for Maguindanao provincial board in next year’s election, and Harris Montawal, grandson of the vice mayor of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao, were taken to the Kabacan Medical Specialist Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Gonzales said Susan Montawal was the wife of Bao Montawal, former Vice Mayor of Datu Montawal town, while Harris was the vice mayor’s grandson.

Two bystanders hit by stray bullets are now recuperating at another hospital.

The assailants used a .45-caliber pistol in the shooting based on recovered empty shells at the crime scene.