TIGHT CHECK. Police conduct checkpoint operations along the national highway as part of precautionary measures following the ambush and killing of village Chairperson Datu Jalandoni Akas Matalam (inset) in Pikit, North Cotabato, Wednesday (July 20, 2022). Relatives say the victim has no known enemies in the area. (Photos from Pikit-MPS and victim's Facebook account)
COTABATO CITY – Police have launched a pursuit operation following the ambush-slay of a village chairperson in Pikit, North Cotabato, Wednesday morning.
Datu Jalandoni Matalam Akas, 58, chairperson of Barangay Macabual, Pikit, was driving a motorbike with his wife when waylaid by riding-in-tandem gunmen along the national highway in Barangay Nalapaan, Pikit town past 8 a.m.
He died on the spot while his wife was unharmed.
“Pursuit operation is still ongoing,” Peralta said, adding that Matalam and his wife were on their way home to Barangay Macabual when ambushed.
Matalam’s relatives said he has no known enemies and roams around the village without a firearm or armed escort.
Matalam’s killing was the second daylight shooting in Pikit in two days.
On Tuesday afternoon, unidentified gunmen also ambushed and killed Alex Salcedo, 58, an employee of the Pikit Water District.
He was on a motorbike when gunmen onboard a separate motorbike shot him from behind along Barangay Batulawan around 2 p.m.
Peralta said police are investigating the two shooting incidents. (PNA)
