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ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) condemned the massacre that killed nine people near the main campus of the University of South Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, Cotabato on Saturday late.
In a text message, Mohaqer Iqbal, the Education Minister, told the Inquirer that eight men died at the scene while another died at the hospital after the as-yet-unidentified perpetrators armed with high-powered weapons ran a checkpoint. and they held Moro’s victims for a time. while before killing them.
He said that only personnel with authority, particularly those in uniform, could carry out a check and arm themselves with high-caliber firearms.
“Nobody has the capacity to have a checkpoint with large arms except the PNP and AFP because it is in Poblacion (Nobody else, except the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) can establish a post control and carry high-powered firearms, ”Iqbal said, referring to the gruesome incident that occurred in the USM barn shortly after Saturday.
“They held the victims and then killed them,” Iqbal said, citing initial reports they received from the community, where BARMM staff were providing assistance to the victims’ families.
But an earlier Kabacan police report did not mention a checkpoint.
Major Peter Pinalgan Jr., Kabacan City Police Chief, reported that the victims, all men, were standing on the side of Aringgay Road, near the University of South Mindanao compound, when the gunmen on a motorcycle they passed and opened fire.
Lieutenant Ernie John Saratao, Kabacan Police Deputy Chief of Operations, identified the fatalities as Kors Salilangan, Sandigan Zailon, Benladin Dimanalao, Romeo Balatamay, Katindig Kagayawon and Fahad Mandigan, all residents of Kabacan City; Budsal Lipusan from the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao; and Musaid Jaiden from the city of Midsayap in the province of Cotabato.
Police suspect a family dispute or riot sparked the shooting. —With a report from Taher Solaiman
LZB
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