CIDG agent killed in Cotabato ambush

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines – Gunmen shot dead Monday morning an agent of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 11 while onboard his motorcycle along Notre Dame Avenue in Cotabato City. Police Chief Supt. Willie Dangane, chief of the Cotabato City PNP, identified the slain police investigator as SPO1 Bonifacio Sales Jr, who was based in Davao City. He was shot at about 10 a.m. Dangane, in a radio interview, said the suspects who were also on board a motorcycle shot the victim after trailing him for some distance. The gunmen reportedly used M-16 armalite rifles. A witness told police that one of the suspects disembarked from his motorcycle, took the caliber .45 pistol from Sales’ waist, and used it to fire at the already fallen victim several times. The incident occurred in front of the office of a local paper, the Mindanao Cross. Reports said Sales was linked to several cases of summary executions of suspected criminals in Cotabato City. Sales started his police career as a member of the Cotabato City PNP and later transferred as member of the CIDG in Region 11. The victim’s father, Sales Sr, a bemedalled police officer, was also shot dead two years ago in Cotabato City. - Malu Cadelina Manar, GMANews.TV