Marawi, Quo Vadis?

A view of the Islamic City of Marawi. (Photo by Wikimedia)

MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 2, 2010) – Despite it being an Islamic city, Marawi is now fast becoming a haven for criminals with the spate of robberies, murders and kidnappings, locals and traders alike are fearful of their safety.

Just recently, gunmen shot and woman after she refused to yield her bag. In another incident, unidentified armed men also barged into several stores and robbed its owners in broad daylight strikes.

While most of the locals are known to be religious who pray at mosques many times during the day, criminals continue to sow fear and citizens were urging authorities to put a stop to these nefarious activities. Extortion is also not uncommon in Marawi where small shops regularly receive demands from various groups and owners risk being kidnapped for ransom or their establishments bombed if they do not pay up.

Last month, gunmen kidnapped Nuraldin Yusoph, a son of Commission on Elections Commissioner Elias Yusoph, and demanded the annulment of poll results in at least four towns in exchange for the safe release of the hostage.

Kidnappers after failing to get their demands then asked for P25 million ransoms. (With a report from Becky de Asis)

3 wounded in Zamboanga hotel shootout

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2010) – Three people were wounded in a shootout Tuesday between two groups of armed men inside a hotel in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

Two men were also arrested by the police in connection to the shooting inside the History Karaoke and Hotel in downtown Zamboanga. Police said the shooting occurred inside Room 415.

But it was unknown how the gunmen were able to sneak into the hotel without being detected by security guards. Police investigators said they recovered many empty bullet shells in the room.

One of those arrested by the police said they were attacked by two gunmen. It was not immediately known why police arrested him or the motive of the shootings. Investigations are going on, police said. "We were attacked. I don't know why police arrested me," he told reporters.

Other reports said the firefight resulted from a police anti-drug operation.

The shooting incidents in Zamboanga City have alarmed many citizens and so far at least 54 people had been killed in gun attacks since early this year despite a strict implementation of the gun ban. Most of the cases remain unresolved.

Guns-for-hire freely operate in Zamboanga City and recent attack had killed a prominent restaurateur. (Mindanao Examiner)

Zambo man stabbed to death near military base

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2009) – Two unidentified killed a villager in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, police said Friday.

Police said the victim Ramil Solis, 22, was stabbed repeatedly until he died near the Philippine Air Force base along Governor Camins Avenue.

Solis was just sitting at a road corner when the duo arrived and without provocation suddenly attacked him. (Charlotte Yola Mira)

Violence Claims Another Victim In Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 5, 2008) – Motorcycle gunmen shot a car owner late Friday in a daring attack at a supermarket parking area in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, reports said.

The wounded victim was rushed to hospital after being shot while inside a car shortly before 8 p.m. at the parking area of the LB Supermarket, a local radio network dxRZ reported.

The identity of the victim was not immediately known, but other radio reports identified him as Henry Lim Chu. It was the second gun attack Friday in Zamboanga City.

Earlier in the day, unidentified gunmen also shot and killed Arnold Pimentel, the administrator of the regional TESDA training center here. Pimentel was shot in the head at around 7.45 a.m. The assailant escaped on motorcycle after the shooting.

TESDA is an agency under the Department of Education responsible for managing and supervising technical education and skills development in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Cop Killers Hunted In Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 15, 2008) – Police have mounted wide manhunt for three men who killed two policemen in the troubled Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines.

“Police forces are tracking down the men responsible in the killings,” Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, the regional police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.

The two policemen – Edgar Espra and Prang Andig - were killed late Friday inside a commuter van in Shariff Kabunsuan’s Sultan Kudarat town by three passengers. One passenger was also hit by a stray bullet, Goltiao said.

The motive of the attack is still unknown, but Goltiao said it could be linked to a family feud.

“Feud could the motive in the killings because one of the victims, PO1 Prang Andig, a son-in-law of Parang town Mayor Talib Abo, was said to have many enemies before he became a policeman. Andig was believed to be the real target here,” Goltiao said without elaborating.

There was no immediate statement from the family of Andig.

Clan war, gun attacks and extra-judicial killings are not uncommon in the Muslim autonomous region. Dozens of people had been killed in clan war and gun attacks in recent years in the Muslim region considered as the poorest in the country.

The region was also targeted in the past by terrorist bombings blamed by authorities to the local Abu Sayyaf group and Indonesian militant Jemaah Islamiya. (Mindanao Examiner)

Hunt Is On For Cop Killer

Filipino policemen and soldiers pursue gunmen who killed a cop in Cotabato City in the southern Maguindanao province. One man has been arrested by security forces. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 02, 2007) – Police forces searched Sunday for gunmen who shot and killed a policeman in the southern Philippine city of Cotabato, officials said.

Officials said one man was arrested in connected to the killing of Senior Police Officer 3 Winefredo Gipala, who was shot by a group of men last week in Cotabato City.

Gipala was killed while trying to arrest the men, believed to be behind the spate of robberies in the city. (Mark Navales)

Teener Killed, 3 Others Attacked In South RP

The scene after the attack. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 16 Jun) – A teenager was killed and three others seriously wounded when a lone man, armed with a knife, attacked them in the southern Philippines, police said Saturday.

Police said the assailant fled after the attack, leading the four young men bloodied on the street late Friday.

The man knifed the four while they were watching a street a parade on the eve of the city’s Charter day celebration.

Police said the slain victim was a 17-year old student. The three others are still in critical condition in hospital here.

Police said it is still investigating the motive of the attack. The rising criminalities and prostitution are two main problems in Cotabato City. (With a report from Mark Navales)

Street Justice Kills 1 Gang Member In South RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jun) – A street gang member was killed by two of his previous victims in an apparent vengeance in the southern Filipino port city of Davao, police said Sunday.

Police said two men ganged up on Jomar Paular, a member of a notorious group called Kamandag Gang, blamed for many crimes in Davao. Paular died from stab wounds in the body before sunrise at the weekend.

The duo escaped after the attack. Anti-crime vigilantes also operate in Davao and were behind numerous attacks on suspected criminals and thieves. (Romy Bwaga)