Maguindanao pol implicated in killing of cop surrenders

Maguindanao del Norte. INQUIRER FILES

COTABATO CITY – Former Maguindanao board member Asnawi “Jojo” Limbona, who is facing a case for murder in the killing of a police officer, surrendered to authorities in Sultan Mastura town, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday morning.

Colonel Sultan Salman Sapal, Maguindanao del Norte police director, said Limbona, 56, of Datu Odin Sinsuat, was accompanied by his legal counsel, Asgar Mandal, to Capt. Elmar Elarcosa, Sultan Mastura municipal police chief.

Limbona has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Acting Presiding Judge Annabele Piang of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Cotabato City, dated May 6, 2024.

He was linked to the killing of Police Staff Sgt. Zahraman Mustapha Diocolano during a shootout on January 2 along Rosales Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 6, Cotabato City.

READ: PNP probes 3 cops following killing of colleague in Maguindanao del Norte

The shooting occurred while Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Lester Sinsuat was inside the house of his uncle, former Rep. Roonie Sinsuat, for a peace dialogue.

Sapal said since the warrant of arrest was issued by a local court, police have been searching for Limbona.

After his surrender, the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Intelligence Unit, headed by Lt. Colonel Michael Tinio, and Capt. Sammy Paning of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, presented Limbona his warrant of arrest at the Sultan Mastura police station.