3.02 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Armed men burn houses in Maguindanao

Published
By Correspondent

MANILA: A group of unidentified armed men recently burned three houses in a village in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, a crime described in the initial probe as politically motivated.

There were no reports of injury or death as a result of the incident, which happened 20 metres only from a police outpost, the tabloid Bomba Balita reported today, January 6.

The incident is believed to have stemmed from a previous encounter between the supporters of Datu Uttoh Montawal, mayor of the municipality of Datu Montawal, and the family of Vice Mayor Mohalidin Bao.

Mr Montawal is seeking reelection in the May 13 general polls while Mr Bao is also planning to become the town’s mayor.

Initial reports released by the police indicated that a number of residents have fled their village for fear that similar incidents would happen in the run-up to the May 13 election.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)