Cotabato City village exec survives ambush in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A village chairperson of Cotabato City survived an ambush Saturday night in Makilala, North Cotabato, authorities said.

Citing report from local police of Makilala, Provincial Police Director Colonel Maximo Layugan identified the victim as Datu Bimbo Ayunan, chief of Barangay Mother Kalanangan in Cotabato City.

The 37-year-old village official was driving his pick-up truck with his wife, heading to Davao City, when unidentified gunmen on board a motorbike opened fire at them.

Ayunan sustained a gunshot wound on his stomach and is now recuperating in an undisclosed hospital. His wife escaped unharmed.

Police recovered empty shells for cal. 45 pistol from the scene.

Motive of the ambush remained unknown as police investigation continues as of this posting. /kga