Barangay executive killed in Cotabato ambush
COTABATO CITY — Gunmen on Saturday killed a barangay official, involved in programs promoting interfaith solidarity among Muslims, Christians and the indigenous people, in an ambush.
Cotabato Gov. Emmylou T. Mendoza and Kabacan Mayor Evangeline P. Guzman separately condemned on Monday the fatal ambush of Ernesto L. Bigsang, Sr., a barangay councilor in Cuyapon in Kabacan, while riding his mountain bike on his way to his farm in an interior area in the municipality.
Mr. Bigsang was known for his extensive participation in activities that complemented the national government’s peace overtures with Moro communities.
Brig. Gen. James E. Gulmatico, director of the Police Regional Office-12, told reporters on Monday that intelligence operatives of Police Regional Office-9 and the Cotabato Provincial Police Office are helping investigators in the Kabacan Municipal Police Station identify the killers of Mr. Bigsang for prosecution.
Witnesses had told investigators that the two pistol-wielding men who ambushed Mr. Bigsang managed to escape using a getaway motorcycle before responding community watchmen and barangay officials could reach the scene.
Ms. Mendoza and Ms. Guzman had separately offered an earnest cash incentive in exchange for any information leading to the arrest of the killers of Mr. Bigsang. — John Felix M. Unson
