MILF base commander shot to death in Mlang, Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY - A base commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was shot to death by at least four unidentified suspects on Sunday afternoon.

The victim was identified as Jun Panangulon, a resident of Barangay Gaunan in Mlang, according to Superintendent Giovani Ladeo, Mlang chief of police.

Ladeo said Panangulon was the brigade commander of the 108th Base Command of the MILF.

Panangulon's companion Toto Magulayan was also injured and is in critical condition at a hospital in Barangay Poblacion.

Ladeo said Panangulon and Magulayan were on their way to a banana plantation in Purok 3 in Barangay Gaunan when at least four suspects confronted them.

Panangulon and the suspects had a heated conversation which led to the shooting incident.

Responding policemen and soldiers recovered at the crime scene several empty shells of M14 and M1 Carbine rifles.

Ladeo said the four suspects are local members of the Moro National Liberation Front based in Barangay Gaunan.

Combined forces of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines cornered the suspects in their respective houses. The suspects then surrendered to authorities.

"They also surrendered their firearms that include M14, M16 and a Carbine," Ladeo said in a phone interview.

Ladeo did not identify the suspects as they are still gathering information about their identities.

The suspects are now detained at the Mlang PNP lock-up cell.

Ladeo said personal grudge and a conflict concerning land are the motives behind the killing of Panangulon. —KG, GMA News