Shariah lawyer slain inside mosque in Midsayap, Cotabato

MIDSAYAP, Cotabato –– Authorities have launched a manhunt against one of two men who shot dead a Shariah lawyer shortly after performing a mid-day prayer inside a mosque here Friday, Sept. 6.

Colonel Maximo Layugan, Cotabato provincial police director, said the police manhunt is founded on a good lead.

Lt. Colonel Bernard Tayong, provincial police spokesperson, identified the victim as Datu Khadaffy Dilangalen Blao, 30.

Blao and several other faithful were inside the mosque in Barangay Olandang for the Friday noon prayer when a man wearing a bull cap arrived, pumped bullets on the victim, and fled aboard a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

Blao died on the spot from bullet wounds in the head and body.

Police investigators found empty shells of cal. 45 pistol.

Datu Quezon Blao, the victim’s father, said the gunman was not a resident of the village and not known to any one of them.

Police said the murder could have been related to “rido” or family feud involving Blao’s family and another family in Midsayap. /lzb