Cops hunt gunmen in murder of North Cotabato militiaman

MATALAM, NORTH COTABATO – Police here launched a manhunt against two men who shot dead a militiaman in Barangay Kibia Wednesday night.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, speaking for North Cotabato police, said Michael Dapitillo, 38, a member of North Cotabato Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), was inside his house around 8 p.m. Wednesday when shot by two men.

Dapitillo died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds.  Police found empty shells of caliber 45 pistol in the crime scene.

Tayong said Dapitillo was the second militia killed by unidentified gunmen in North Cotabato this month.

Earlier, a Cafgu, identified as Ismael Tanto, was shot by his comrade inside a militia detachment in Barangay Ginatilan, Pikit following a heated argument./lb