STRICT INSPECTION. Members of the Pikit municipal police in North Cotabato put up additional checkpoints along one of the strategic sections in town following the murder of a village councilman on Thursday (Aug. 27, 2020). Initial investigation revealed the incident could have been triggered by a feud by the councilman’s family with another clan. (Photo courtesy of Pikit MPS)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Police and military authorities have launched a manhunt against two men who shot dead a village councilman in Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday.
Captain Mautin Pangandigan, Pikit town police chief, identified the slain village councilman as Hayrollah Bateg, 33, of Barangay Balakakan in Pikit town.
The victim succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival in the hospital.
Pangandigan said Bateg was driving his motorbike along the national highway in Barangay Dalingaoen when shot from behind by one of two motorcycle-riding attackers around noon.
“The killers appeared to have tailed Bateg as he was traveling from Barangay Balakakan passing by Barangay Dalingaoen and shot him from behind,” Pangandigan said.
Police investigators are initially eyeing personal grudge or “rido” (family feud) as a possible motive behind the attack. Found at the crime scene were empty shells for .45-caliber pistol. Witnesses said the gunmen fled toward the direction of Barangay Balakakan after the murder. (PNA)
