Suspected NPA rebels gun down SB member representing indigenous peoples

Suspected communist rebels belonging to Guerilla Front 54 allegedly killed on Wednesday a town’s representative of the indigenous peoples in the Sangguniang Bayan in Magpet, Cotabato.

The victim identified as Antonio Takinan, 50, was an ex-officio member of the SB. 

Police Senior Inspector Jose Marie Molina, Magpet Police chief, said Takinan had multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot on Wednesday afternoon. 

His two companions, Robello Tambunan and village watchman Rene Soriano, were injured.

Molina said at least three armed men attacked Takinan and his companions while they were on their way to Barangay Bantac. Takinan was able to retaliate. However another three armed men fired at them using a caliber .45 pistol and M 16 rifles.

Takinan had just attended their regular session at the Sangguniang Bayan Hall at the municipal hall in Barangay Poblacion when the incident happened.

Molina said the victim has received several threats from Kumander Bobby Rosete. The latest threat was recorded on March 18, 2018.

“He has constantly been receiving threats from Kumander Bobby as per information we gathered from the victim’s wife,” Molina told this writer.

He disclosed that Takinan has told his fellow tribe members not to support the NPA but instead encouraged them to join the training of the Civilian Active Auxiliary or CAA.

The victim was also responsible for the entry of some Indigenous Peoples (IP’s) for training to become future soldiers.

Molina added that Kumander Bobby even instructed Takinan to meet him in an undisclosed village in Magpet.

Takinan however refused to meet him despite several calls made by the rebel commander.

After the ambush, the suspects immediately fled toward the northern portion of Magpet situated within the tri-boundaries of Arakan-Antipas and Magpet.

Soriano and Tambunan were brought to a private hospital for medical treatment as they sustained gunshot wounds.  

Takinan’s fellow SB members condemned the attack and called it an act of cowardice. —KG, GMA News