Village chief gunned down in Maguindanao

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – Police are hunting down two men aboard a motorbike who shot dead a village chair of Datu Anggal Midtimbang town in Maguindanao last Sunday.

Victim Lumbatan Lampay, 55, of Barangay Tugal was driving his motorbike along the national highway past 12 noon towards Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, when one of the two suspects shot him from behind.

SPO4 Saguia Midtimbang Jr., of Datu Anggal Midtimbang town police office, said the two suspects were last seen tailing the unsuspecting village official and upon reaching Barangay Brar, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, shot Lampay.

Responding policemen rushed Lampay to Dinaig District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Midtimbang said the village executive was unarmed and has no armed escorts.  His relatives told police he has no known enemies.

Maguindanao police director Sr. Supt. Ronald Briones has ordered Datu Anggal Midtimbang police office to take measures and prevent the murder of village officials. /kga