ARMM worker killed, 4 others hurt in Maguindanao ambush

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – An employee of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was killed while four others – including two town councilors – were injured in an ambush in Barangay Tenorio here on Saturday, according to Capt. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Encinas identified the fatality as Betsy Yap, a registered nurse and member of the ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (Heart).

Injured were Councilors Beatrice Yap Beling and Reymundo Kinlat of South Upi, Maguindanao; Jonathan Layson, the victims’ bodyguard; and Crispin Beling, driver of the victims’ car.

The Datu Odin Sinsuat police said all the victims were aboard a Mitsubishi Lancer (LCJ-624) and were headed for Cotabato City when fired at by a lone gunman at about 4:10 p.m. on the highway in Barangay Tenorio.

Yap, a member of the staff of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, was declared dead on arrival at the Notre Dame Hospital. Other victims were being treated in the same hospital.

The victims’ car was riddled with bullets from a .45-caliber pistol that assailant used. He fled on a motorbike.

The motive of the attack remained unknown and police were still investigating.

Encinas said the Army was providing manpower and logistical support to the Datu Odin police in hunting down the perpetrators.

The ambush site is less than a kilometer away from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Cotabato Airport. /atm