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Authorities are piecing together a wave of violence that left people dead and wounded in Maguindanao del Sur and Cotabato City
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – At least three people were killed and a school principal was wounded in a series of gun attacks across Maguindanao del Sur and Cotabato City on Monday, June 10, in a wave of violence that authorities are still trying to piece together.
The bloodshed began in the morning in Buluan town, where 43-year-old farmer Tats Umbe Malabang was shot and killed at around 9:20 am while driving his family along the highway in Poblacion.
Malabang, a resident of Datu Paglas town, was headed to attend his niece’s wedding when unidentified gunmen staged the ambush. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Police have yet to identify suspects or determine a motive.
Roughly an hour later, a separate shooting in Rajah Buayan town left Alamansa Ambiton, a Department of Education supervisor and principal of Sapakan Central Elementary School, wounded.
Police said Ambiton was eating in front of the school in Barangay Sapakan when gunmen opened fire.
Captain Argie Eyana of the Rajah Buayan police said the principal, a resident of Sultan sa Barongis town, managed to reach a nearby police checkpoint for help.
Authorities recovered five spent shells and three slugs from an unidentified firearm.
Ambition remains under medical care, and the motive remains unclear.
In the afternoon, violence escalated in Pandag town, where an unidentified man was gunned down while riding a motorcycle in Barangay Kayaga. Witnesses said the man was shot several times before the attackers fled. Police are still verifying the victim’s identity.
Later that evening, in Cotabato City, a barangay information officer, Norsana Ampatuan Lipoles, was killed inside her home in Mother Barangay Rosary Heights.
According to police, two men knocked on her door at around 9 pm and asked if she was Norsana. When she confirmed her identity, one of the suspects shot her in the forehead with a .45 caliber pistol, killing her instantly.
In a separate incident in Shariff Aguak town, armed men descended on the downtown area of Poblacion 2, triggering panic among civilians.
While no deaths were reported, stray bullets struck homes, businesses, and a water reservoir, according to Maguindanao del Sur provincial board member-elect Zahara Ampatuan.
Vice Mayor-elect Hadji Oping Ampatuan said government forces responded quickly to restore order.
The incident followed days of reported attacks on members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) in the area.
The Philippine National Police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region has yet to issue an official statement on whether the attacks are connected or related to the recently concluded elections. Investigations into all incidents are ongoing as of this posting. – Rappler.com
