Village headman killed while resisting arrest

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – A village headman was killed and three members of the local neighborhood watch were arrested following a shootout with a team of soldiers and policemen who had come to the village to arrest the local official on a charge of murder early Tuesday, police said.

Supt. Reynante delos Santos, Midsayap police chief, identified the slain village official as Ibrahim Simpal, chair of Barangay Ulandang. The identities of the three village watchmen were not released.

Delos Santos said Simpal, an alleged gun runner, was being arrested by members of the Central Mindanao police’s Special Operations Group based in General Santos City, who were backed by soldiers and the local police, on the strength of a court warrant, but he resisted and put up a fight.

As the arresting party approached his house, Simpal and his guards allegedly opened fire on the lawmen.

“The raiding team started entering the house but they were met with fire, which lasted for about 10 minutes,” Delos Santos said.

He said Simpal was wounded in the shootout and died while being treated in a hospital.

Delos Santos said six assorted firearms, including an M-16 Armalite rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, shotguns and ammunition were taken from Simpal’s house.

In Cotabato City, a former Maguindanao village chair was shot dead by four unidentified men on Monday evening.

Supt. Rolen Balquin, Cotabato City police chief, identified the victim as Mohammad Mamadra, the former headman of the village of Dimapatoy in Datu Blah Sinsuat town.

Mamadra was tending his store in Barangay Kalanganan here when attacked around 8 p.m. He died instantly, Balquin added.