Gunmen Kill 2 In Mindanao Attack

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 23 Feb) – Gunmen killed two people in an attack in the troubled North Cotabato province on Mindanao island, south of the Philippines, military reports said.

The gunmen stopped the convoy of a provincial board council member, Faridah Malingco, in Pikit town and then opened fire on one of the car, killing two people. The attack occurred Thursday, the military said.

The politician was unhurt in the attack which coincided with the start of election campaign in the country.

Filipinos are to elect in May their local officials and a congressman and about a dozen senators in the polls, which are traditionally bloody and violent, especially in Mindanao where many politicians maintain private armed armies and wanted to have a perpetual stay in power. Many of them have relatives who also hold public office and virtually rule in dynasty.

It was not immediately known whether the attack was connected to politics. (Mindanao Examiner)