4 suspects in MILF commander’s murder nabbed

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Police have announced the arrest of four persons believed to be behind the murder of an official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday in Mlang, North Cotabato.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director for police in Soccsksargen, said the four suspects were arrested during the pursuit operations after the 4 p.m. murder of June Panangulon, commander of the MILF’s 108th base command in Barangay Gaunan, M’lang.

Arrested were Akmad Abdul, 26, Phonnex Bitol Anog, 42, Nindie Sinumalong Dengkang, 26, and Tengan Tantong Anog, 52, all residents of Sitio Langaban, Gaunan.

Recovered from them were one Carbine rifle, one M-14 rifle, one M-16 Armalite rifle, ammunition, and a motorbike.

Supt. Giovanni Ladeo, M’lang police chief, said the four suspects, believed to be members of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), had a heated argument with Panangulon before the shooting.

“It was triggered by a long-standing family feud involving the victim and the perpetrators,” Rasco said in a statement.

The four suspects are now detained at the M’lang police lock-up cell.