By Francis Wakefield
A sub-commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) was killed while another was wounded following a shooting incident that transpired in North Cotabato on Sunday.
Major General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Central and Army 6th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Nun Pananggulon, sub-commander of the 108th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) under Kague Bayan Abas.
Wounded, on the other hand, was identified as MILF member Toto Magaluyan, 39.
Sobejana said Pananggulong died on the spot while Magaluyan is currently under medical attention at the health center of Brgy. Gaunan.
In an initial report he received, Sobejana said the shooting incident transpired in Brgy. Gaunan M'lang, North Cotabato, at around 8 a.m.
He said following the shooting incident, M'lang Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol sought the assistance of the military and police to negotiate for the surrender of the suspects.
At 6 p.m. on Sunday, the four suspects surrendered to the authorities and are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police.
"We have left behind forces to maintain the peace and order in the area," Sobejana said.
According to Sobejana, authorities are looking at the possibility that the motive of the shooting is either Rido or retaliation.
He said one of the suspects is the brother of the late Commander Budo of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari Faction who was ambushed and killed sometime in the third quarter of 2018 in M'lang by alleged MILF perpetrators.