Two government engineers were gunned down on Friday, March 14, in Kidapawan City and a seven-year-old girl was raped and killed in Butuan City on Saturday, March 15.
VIOLENCE rocked Kidapawan City as two government engineers were gunned down on Friday, March 14. (FB)
Police Lt. Col. Dominador Palgan Jr., Kidapawan police chief, identified the fatalities as Mohammad Mandangan, chief of the Quality Assurance Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways-12 2nd Engineering District, a resident of Marawi City, and Benhur Piang of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.
Their colleague was slightly injured and two others were unhurt.
Investigation said the victims were on board a pickup truck driven by Mandangan on their way to the DPWH district office from a noon prayer when two motorcycle-riding gunmen appeared and fired at them. The fatalities sustained multiple bullet wounds and died.
Two passengers in the back seat jumped off and hid in a gasoline station. Mandangan lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle rammed an electric post.
Police said they have two persons of interest in the killing and assured that they are actively pursuing them.
Police Col. Gilberto Tuzon, Cotabato police director, urged the people to help police catch the gunmen. Tuzon reminded the people to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious activities to the police.
Rape-slay rocks Butuan
Meanwhile, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped and killed in Barangay Basag, Butuan City on Saturday.
The victim was reported missing by her family before dawn.
Residents conducted a massive search and her body was found dumped in a well.
Police arrested a security guard who allegedly was last seen with the victim.
Her relatives and netizens expressed anger over her death. Netizens and lamented the deterioration of the peace and order situation in the country compared to the past administration.
Follow-up investigation on both cases is underway.