Ex-Maguindanao provincial board member, kin killed in ambush

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A former provincial board member of Maguindanao was killed along with another relative when they were ambushed Monday afternoon in Parang town.

Inspector Wilfredo Sanquin, Parang police chief, said the ambush occurred at 2:25 p.m. while former board member Raul Tomawis and his cousin Sandiale Tomawis were on their way to the town proper when ambushed by gunmen.

“We are still investigating. We are looking at rido, or family feud, as among the motives,” Sanguin said.

Sanguin said armed men in two vehicles, a black Toyota Hi-Lux and Toyota Hi-Ace van, sprayed bullets at Tomawis’ car.

Raul is a relative of former Barira town Mayor Alex Tomawis who was killed by two gunmen in front of his house in Davao City in 2010.

Following the ambush, Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag, police regional director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, placed the entire police force on alert.

Mobile checkpoints were immediately set up around town.