Cop, 11 others face murder raps for deaths of 2 village bets, supporter

COTABATO CITY—Police have filed multiple murder and double frustrated murder charges before the city prosecutor’s office here against a police officer, a candidate for village chief and 10 others for the killing of three people on Monday night as they were posting campaign materials for the Oct. 30 elections.

Capt. Jemu Ramolete, chief of Cotabato City Police Station 1, said those charged were Master Sgt. Pauti Dianal Mamalapat, of the Maguindanao del Sur police; Juhalidin Ladesla Abdul, alias “Boyong,” candidate for chairperson of Barangay Rosary Heights 12 here; and their 10 relatives, many from Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur, for involvement in the attack that killed Nur Muktadin Butucan, Alfar Ayunan Pasawilan and Faizal Abas.

READ: Raps filed vs cop, 11 others over attack on Cotabato village bets

Butucan and Pasawilan are candidates for village council seats, the former in Rosary Heights 12 while the latter in Kalanganan 2. Abas is a supporter of Pasawilan.

Injured during the incident were Saipol Sapalon and Fayed Daud, both from Kalanganan 2. The victims were displaying campaign posters when they were fired upon at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday in Rosary Heights 12.Police, backed by Marines soldiers, pursued the suspects and held for questioning Abdul, Mamalapat and 10 others. Authorities seized an M-16 rifle, two hand guns and ammunition from them.

The others arrested were Jayson Manguda Bansuan, Surin Alon Kamad, Daniel Gumat Paguital, Nordin Gueamel Alay, Mishal Malang Mamalapat, Abedin Saban Guinat, Buts Saban Tepay, Dixie Mahinay Garcia, Arman Mamalangkal and Ronda Midtimbang Bansuan.Hot spot

Police Col. Querubin Manalang, the city police director, said Rosary Heights 12 is now considered a hot spot because of the incident, the 12th election-related violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded by the police.Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, BARMM police director, said they would ensure that voters in the village would be able to cast their votes freely.

Of the BARMM’s 2,592 villages, 976 are listed as areas of concern with 284 categorized as having “grave” security issues.

On condition he is not named, a teacher tasked to perform election duties for Monday’s balloting in Barangay Rosary Heights 12, said he may back out because of the violence, and many of his colleagues have the same plan.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao said the city government is deeply saddened by the election-related tension that escalated to the killings in Rosary Heights 12.

“The loss of three lives in this incident is not only tragic but also a direct affront to the peaceful democratic process we hold dear in our city,” Matabalao added. INQ