COTABATO CITY 鈥� A lone gunman shot dead on Thursday night a staff member of Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao as he was walking home in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte.
Major Regie Albellera, Datu Odin Sinsuat town police chief, identified the victim as Faizal Malagiok, 40, more known as 鈥淧opeye,鈥� an office staffer of Matabalao, and a resident of SPDA subdivision, Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat.
鈥淗e died on the spot from about five gunshot wounds in the head and body,鈥� said Albellera of the shooting that took place at 7 p.m.
鈥淲e are still facing a blank wall as to the motive and identity of the lone attacker,鈥� he added.
Albellera said Malagiok, a singing artist, was walking along a poorly lit alley leading to his boarding house when a lone gunman opened fire.
Quoting witnesses, Albellera said the gunman fled on board a motorbike.
Matabalao was saddened by the news and called for a speedy probe into Malagiok鈥檚 death.
鈥淛ustice for Popeye,鈥� Matabalao said in a social media post, describing Malagiok as 鈥渁 reliable staff at the office of the city mayor and a good friend.鈥�
鈥淭hank you, Popeye, for your service to all, but most of all, thank you for the friendship,鈥� he added.
Before joining the city government, Malagiok was known for hosting Muslim wedding rites as a singer and performer during other social events. He used to be a disc jockey for DXOL-FM in Cotabato City.
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