By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
A man is facing criminal charges for shooting a barangay chairman who allegedly took his name out of the list of beneficiaries under the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in San Miguel, Manila Wednesday afternoon.
Police identified the victim as Hashim Amatonding, 67; and the suspect as Aiman Musa, 37; both residents of Barangay 648 in San Miguel, Manila.
Investigation showed that Amatonding was distributing food relief packs to residents outside of the barangay hall at around 4:30 p.m.
Then, Musa arrived and shot the barangay chairman. Fortunately, his gun malfunctioned, and when he reloaded and shot again, he missed.
Manila Police District (MPD) Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Carlo Manuel said the suspect claimed that he was seeking revenge after Amatonding did not include his name in the list of SAP beneficiaries.
However, members of the DSWD are the ones who decide who gets financial assistance under SAP.
Musa added that the barangay chairman's son beat him up before. Amatonding, meanwhile, claimed that politics may have also been a motive behind the crime.
Barangay officials called for police assistance as the suspect fled. Musa surrendered to the police after he was tracked down.
A caliber .45 pistol with one magazine, one dud bullet, and six live ammunition was seized from the suspect. Police said he failed to show documents or any proof saying that he was authorized to carry a firearm.
Musa, who is now under police custody, will be facing charges for violations of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code or Attempted Murder and Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Further investigation is underway.
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