AMBUSH SUSPECTS. Mugshots of the four suspects in connection with the ambush-slay of June Pananggulon, chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front 108th Base Command, and wounding of his companion, in Barangay Gaunan, M’lang, North Cotabato, on Sunday (Feb. 17). (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)
COTABATO CITY – Joint police and military operatives arrested on Monday four suspects in the recent killing of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) official and the wounding of his companion in the North Cotabato town of M’lang.
Police identified the suspects as Junior Akmad Abdul, 26; Phonnex Bitol Anog, 42; Nindie Sinumalong Dengkang, 26; and Tengan Tantong Anog, 42. They were arrested in Barangay Gaunan, M’lang, where they reside.
In a report on Tuesday, Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, the director of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), said that the suspects were simultaneously arrested at 5:30 p.m. Monday at their respective homes in the village.
“They were caught flat-footed by the arresting team,” Rasco said.
Seized from the suspects were one Carbine rifle, one M14 rifle, one M16 rifle, assorted ammunition and magazine, and an unregistered Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle.
Rasco said the suspects were arrested following the ambush-slay of June Pananggulon, chief of the 7th Brigade-MILF 108th Base Command, and the wounding of his companion, identified as Toto Mangulayan, on Sunday afternoon.
The victims were onboard a motorbike when waylaid around 4 p.m. near the banana farm of Pananggulon in Barangay Gaunan.
A pursuit operation was immediately launched by joint elements of the M’lang police, the North Cotabato Provincial Public Safety Mobile Force Company, and the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion following the incident.
Supt. Giovanni Ladeo, M’lang town police chief, said the four suspects, believed to be members of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), had a heated argument with Pananggulon before the shooting.
Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan, provincial police director, said the shooting was triggered by a long-standing family feud involving Pananggulon and the perpetrators. (PNA)
