COTABATO CITY — Cops are hot on the trail of a group of robbers who shot dead a city trader and his brother on Tuesday night in nearby Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
Police Inspector Caroline Flores, Sultan Kudarat deputy police chief, identified the fatalities as brothers Abdul Nasser and Jonathan, both surnamed Mamalinta, residents of Barangay Rosary Heights 3, Cotabato City.
Around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, the victims, onboard a motorbike, had a quick stop by a secluded section of the road in Salimbao to relieve themselves when attacked and shot by robbers.
Witnesses said the robbers, numbering to four, fled on foot in various directions after the incident.
“The robbers only took away the personal belongings of the victims and did not touch the (victims’) motorbike,” Flores said.
Investigators have yet to establish the purpose of the victims’ visit to the town considering that Abdul Nasser is a trader, while his brother Jonathan works with the Cotabato City Traffic Management Center, prior to their deaths.
“Presumably, Abdul Nasser might have business dealings with another trader from Sultan Kudarat town and he was accompanied by his brother Jonathan,” Flores said.
Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat town is separated by Rio Grande de Mindanao River and only connected through the 160-meter Quirino Bridge in the northern side. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
