Gunmen Attack Cop's House In Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jul) – Unidentified gunmen attacked a police officer’s house before dawn Tuesday in the southern Philippines with automatic weapons and small rocket, wounding two persons.

Police said the attack on the house of Superintendent Samson Obatay in the village of Simuay in Sultan Kudarat town in Shariff Kabunsuan occurred at around 1 p.m.

Obatay, former head of an elite police unit in Cotabato City, was not hurt in the raid, but two of his relatives were injured.

At least three gunmen have carried out the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the shooting, but police suspected criminal syndicates or Moro rebels were behind the raid.

In February, gunmen also attacked his house with a rocket-propelled grenade, wounding one member of his family. Prior to that, he also survived a grenade attack and an ambush in Cotabato City.

Obatay is one of the most decorated police officer in Cotabato City and responsible for the arrest of many criminals and gang leaders with ties to drug syndicates and rebels. (With a report from Mark Navales)