Soldier killed, another hurt in Cotabato City gun attack

COTABATO CITY – An off-duty soldier was killed while another was critically hurt in a daring attack along a busy highway here on Friday morning, police said.

Privates First Class (Pfc.) Nerwin Delfin and Michael Haudar, both from the 37th Infantry Battalion, were on board a motorbike when one of the two suspects, on board a separate motorbike, opened fire on the soldiers at 9 a.m. Friday, said Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, Cotabato City police director.

The ambush happened along the busy Sinsuat Avenue, about 600 meters from the Cotabato City Police Station.

Responding policemen rushed the victims to the hospital where Delfin was declared dead on arrival. Haudar was later airlifted to Davao City for medical treatment.

Police said the two soldiers wearing civilian clothes were heading toward the Army’s 6th Infantry Division headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao when attacked by the suspects.

The Army-led Task Force Kutawato is now helping the city police track down the suspects. Witnesses had noted the license plates of the getaway vehicles. /ee