Village Council Member Fatally Shot in North Cotabato

Midsayap, North Cotabato – A newly elected village council member was shot dead by his cousin on Wednesday morning, police in Midsayap, North Cotabato reported. The victim, identified as Suharto Antilino, had recently been proclaimed as a Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Poblacion 3 in Midsayap.

According to Philippines News Agency, the town’s police chief, witnesses at the scene reported that there was an argument between Antilino and his cousin just before the shooting occurred. The witnesses added that Antilino, aged 35, attempted to flee but was pursued by the gunman, who then opened fire, hitting him in the back of the head. Antilino was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. At the crime scene, police recovered an empty shell from a caliber .45 pistol. Calinga emphasized that the shooting appeared to stem from a personal grudge between Antilino and the assailant, rather than being related to the recent elections.