2 teachers killed, 2 hurt in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY – Unidentified motorcycle-riding men shot dead two female teachers and wounded two others here, on Tuesday, the police said Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Rustom Pastolero, police station 3 chief, identified the slain victims as Fahara Kabuntalan La, 29, and Sittie Usop Abdullah, 31. Another teacher, Aisah Karon Malugka, 34, was wounded.

All three victims were teachers at the Mokamad Ali Elementary School in Barangay Tamontaka 4.  They were on board a tricycle, more known here as “Payong-Payong,” when ambushed in Purok Talainged in the adjacent village of Tamontaka 1 around 4:30 p.m., Pastolero said.

The 21-year-old tricycle driver, Fahad Abdulwahid Abdullah, was also hurt in the gun attack that occurred in full public view, he said.
Responding policemen recovered several empty shells for cal. 45 pistol.

Quoting witnesses, Pastolero said the gunmen wore ski masks and quickly fled after the gun attack.

Johnny Balawag, administrative officer of the public city schools division, condemned the attack and called on the local police to identify and arrest the culprits.

“These teachers do not have known enemies,” Balawag told reporters.

The police’s investigation to determine the identities and the motive of the attackers continues.  SFM