By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Police authorities in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur provinces have launched a joint manhunt against a man who ambushed the vehicle of a municipal councilor in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat on Monday.
In a statement, the Maguindanao del Sur police provincial office said it is working with the Lambayong municipal police station to identify and arrest the gunman who fired at the pickup truck of Bin-Nazriff Buayan Utto Silongan, 40, municipal councilor of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur.
The Lambayong police, headed by Maj. Jayson Ortega, is still conducting a follow-up investigation.
“I was on board the vehicle with a companion heading to Rajah Buayan from Tacurong City when we were fired upon at about 10 a.m. along the national highway in Barangay Tinumigues, Lambayong town,” Silongan told reporters in an interview Tuesday.
Silongan and his companion, both residents of Barangay Sampao, were unharmed, but his vehicle sustained three bullet holes.
Silongan said he noticed a man standing at the roadside as his pickup truck approached Purok Kaunlaran in Barangay Tinumigues.
“As our vehicle passed by, the man suddenly opened fire using an assault rifle,” he said.
The councilor added that they did not stop and instead proceeded to Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur, and reported the incident to the local police.
The official said he has no known enemies or anyone he was in conflict with. (PNA)
