Radio announcer, Islamic preacher slain in BARMM gun attacks

COTABATO CITY– A local radio announcer and an Islamic preacher were killed in separate gun attacks in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Thursday, May 21.

Police Capt. Vilma Dimaraw, chief of the Malidegao municipal police station, said Nestor Micator, 45, also known as “Teting,” was shot in front of the village hall of Barangay Fort Pikit, Malidegao town in BARMM’s Special Geographic Area at about 7 p.m.

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Micator was a news anchor and commentator for D’Empire Radio based in Poblacion Pikit, Cotabato province.

Dimaraw said Micator, also a member of Lupong Pambarangay of Barangay Fort Pikit, was about to board his motorbike when a lone gunman shot him in the head in front of the village hall and in front of his horrified wife.

The couple was about to go home when attacked.

The suspect then boarded a motorbike driven by an accomplice and fled.

Dimaraw said investigators are still determining if Micator has been receiving death threat and whether the attack was related to his job as radio announcer or as member of Lupon ng Barangay.

The FM Radio Station management issued a statement condemning the attack against Micator.

“We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence and call for justice to be served immediately,” the statement issued Thursday night said.

“Today, we lost not only a member of the media community, but also a good man—someone dedicated to his work, and committed to serving the public through truthful reporting,” the management said.

“Violence against media workers and innocent individuals has no place in our society. We stand united in condemning this killing and in calling for peace, safety, and accountability,” the FM station management added.

At about 2 p.m., Ustadz Nasrudin Abubakar, an Islamic preacher, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Makir, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Police said the victim was standing along the national highway waiting for a jeepney when the gunman on motorcycle arrived and stopped in front of him.  Without provocation, the suspect shot the preacher in the head, killing him instantly.

Neighbors rushed him to Dinaig District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

On Tuesday, May 19, five people were killed and eight others were injured in a series of gun-related incidents in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and in SGA, all in BARMM. /jpv