Cotabato village chief shot dead on way to wedding

A village chief in Carmen town, Cotabato, Philippines, was shot dead on Sunday morning while on his way to a wedding, a top police official confirmed. Lt. Col. Rolly Oranza identified the victim as Arnel “Boyet” Aliudin, village chair of Cadiis in Carmen town. Oranza disclosed that Aliudin was riding the village vehicle along with other individuals when the incident occurred. Details surrounding the motive and the perpetrators remain unclear as the investigation is ongoing. The area of Cotabato has, in the past, been subject to security concerns. Attacks targeting local officials are not uncommon in the Philippines, and potential motives could include political rivalries or local power struggles. Authorities are currently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading to the fatal shooting. This incident highlights persistent issues regarding the security of local leaders in rural parts of the Philippines. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo