MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – Unidentified gunmen shot dead a student of slain Malaysian terror bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir here over the weekend.
Killed was Tato Puaya, 35, who was linked to bombing incidents here and nearby towns. Puaya’s wife, identified as Cherida, 32, was injured in the ambush that took place late Friday afternoon, according to Senor Inspector Junrel Amotan, Mdsayap town deputy police chief.
The couple was on board a pedicab, locally known as “payong-payong,” heading for home at Sitio Macantar, Barangay Ulandang when attacked by unidentified gunmen onboard a black pick-up vehicle.
Amotan said the attackers waited for the victims to pass by and opened fire as they approached the crime scene.
The victims were brought to a hospital in the adjacent town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao but Puaya was declared dead upon arrival.
Police probers recovered 38 pieces of empty shells for M16 rifle at the crime scene.
A follow-up investigation conducted by the military showed that Puaya was a sub-commander of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under Commander Ustadz Karialan and linked to bombing attacks in Midsayap and nearby areas this year.
Army intelligence sources said Puaya was one of the students and closed-in bodyguard of Zulkifli bin Hir who was killed in police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
