PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 9, 2013) – A Muslim preacher was shot and killed near a mosque in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said.
Police said Ustadz Esmael Malaco was allegedly shot in Dimataling town by Esmael Mandapal, who is also from the same place and fled after the shooting.
Melaco was shot twice in the body and died before reaching the hospital.
The motive of the attack is still unknown, but police are investigating the shooting, according to Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, a regional police spokesman.
“He (Melaco) was rushed to Chavez Medical Clinic for immediate medical treatment, but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician,” he said adding the preacher was shot with a .45-caliber pistol based on recovered slug and bullet shells.
“The recovered items are now under the custody of Dimataling police station for subsequent submission to provincial crime lab office for ballistic examination. Dimataling Police station is now conducting a follow-up investigation and manhunt operation for the possible arrest of the suspect,” Huesca said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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