By Noel Punzalan/PNA
COTABATO CITY — Security measures in the city, particularly on the inspection of motorcycle vehicles, had been doubled following the ambush-slay of a sitio leader here over the weekend.
“We have to step up our surprise checking of motorcycle registrations and drivers’ licenses due to the spate of killings perpetrated by riding-in-tandems here recently,” Col. Michael Lebanen, city police director, said Monday.
Lebanen said the latest of such shooting incidents occurred on Saturday where a riding-in-tandem gunned down Badrudin Ali Abubakar, 52, leader of Sitio Pag-asa, Barangay Rosary Heights 7, this city.
Abubakar was riding his motorbike along Roman Vilo Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 6, around 11:30 a.m. when fired upon by a motorcycle-riding duo.
Responding cops brought the victim to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival. The slain sub-village chief succumbed to four fatal bullet wounds in the neck, chest, and abdomen.
Lebanen said police probers are looking deeper into the case.
The police official said they remain in constant coordination with the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and other law enforcement agencies to strengthen the city’s security concern against lawless groups operating in the locality and in nearby Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.
