Matalam town (outlined in red) in North Cotabato (Image from Google Maps)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Two persons were killed, three others injured and two more were reported missing after an ambush in a farming village in Matalam, North Cotabato Saturday.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police director of the Soccsksargen Police Regional Office, said Tata Angeles, 25, and George Dilanggalen, 50, both farmers and residents of Barangay Kibudoc, were killed in an ambush at 10:30 a.m. in Purok Ragsak, Barangay Kibudoc, Matalam, Cotabato.
Chief Insp. Brian Placer, chief of the Matalam Municipal Police Station, identified the injured as During Panga, 40, Jomer Intol Sultan, 17, and Samsudin Delanggalen, 18 all residents of Purok Sultan Maslani-Campo, Barangay Kibudoc.
Missing were Datu Ali Sultan, 23, and Suharto Delanggalen — also residents of Barangay Kibudoc.
Rasco said all the victims belonged to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the Nur Misuari faction.
Responding police officers, led by Placer, seized 14 rifles and eight grenade launchers from the suspects.
Placer said the victims were heading to their farms riding in tandem on three motorcycles when ambushed by gunmen in Purok Ragsak.
The Matalam police responded, along with 7th Infantry Battalion troopers, led by its commander, Lt. Colonel Neil Roldan, and arrested several persons with firearms and ammunition.
They were identified as Joel Viajante, 41; Romar Prado, 29; Redmar Samson, 32; Reynaldo Mosquera, 41; Efren Mosquera, 51; Warlito Mosquera, 37; Danilo Mercado, 25; Lando Helera, 43; Jonathan Viajante, 42; Alvin Villarin, 30; Dennis Olvido, 34; Johnny Patria, 27; and four minors, all resident of Barangay Estado, Matalam, North Cotabato.
Placer the violence was apparently triggered by land dispute between the suspects and their victims. /atm