Cop killed, another hurt in Cotabato ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A policeman was killed while another was critically wounded in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen here Sunday night.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police regional director for Region 12, identified the slain police officer as Police Officer 1 Ali Mama, of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, and the injured as PO1 Jolace Ali Guiamad, of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Both belonged to Cotabato City Police Mobile Force Company.

Quoting a report from Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan, acting city police director, Rasco said the victims were on a motorcycle returning to the city from Maguindanao when they were ambushed along Yapsy Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City, at 7 p.m.

Mama was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center from multiple gunshot wounds. Guiamad is undergoing treatment.

Police are still investigating the motive and trying to identify the perpetrator of the attack.

At about the same time, a security guard, identified as Jhonny Quimgo, 40, was killed in another ambush at the corner of Quimpo and Sousa Streets, Cotabato City.

His companion, Marlon Tamagos, 32, was wounded and is undergoing treatment in a hospital here.

Police said the victims were heading home from a cockfighting event when waylaid. /cbb