FIVE persons, including the mayor of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato, were killed in two shooting incidents in Soccsksargen early Friday morning, July 10, 2020, police said.
An initial report reaching Camp Crame said Sto. Niño Mayor Pablo Matinog was visiting an infrastructure project in Purok Libertad in Barangay Poblacion at around 7:55 a.m. when unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle shot him several times.
The assailants then left the crime scene but returned to shoot Matinog again.
The Soccsksargen Police Regional Office said the mayor was rushed to Doctor Luntao Clinic and Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
A bystander identified as Analyn Peñafiel was injured. Investigation is ongoing.
Also on Friday morning, four persons were killed in an ambush in Pigcawayan in Cotabato.
Pigcawayan Police Chief Ivan Samoraga said the victims were onboard a red Toyota Innova at around 6:30 a.m. when armed men fired at them.
"Pag-responde po namin, no signs of life po ang initial assessment ng responding teams kaya po kinordon po namin ang area at nagtawag po kami ng SOCO scene para mag-conduct ng crime scene investigation," he said.
Samoraga said the victims have yet to be identified. Investigation is still ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)