LP political campaigner killed in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY - A political campaigner was gunned down while on his way home on Thursday afternoon in Carmen town in North Cotabato. Liberal Party’s Edwin Bandila, a Maguindanaon, was on a motorcycle with his wife when he was shot and killed by still unidentified assailants about 5:30 p.m. in front of the Carmen municipal cemetery. Carmen police are still investigating the motive behind killing of Bandila who is also a close friend and supporter of North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol. LP presidential candidate Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III, who was immediately informed by Piñol of the incident, expressed sympathy for the Bandila family and promised to ask the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the killing. In his radio program early Thursday, Piñol said Bandila told him and M’lang Mayor Joselito Piñol during a Muslim leaders’ congress in Kabacan town on January 26 about threats on his life because of his political leanings. Piñol said Bandila also told LP mayoralty bet Col. Hector Salvador in a phone call on Thursday that men identified with a leading political contender in Carmen visited him and asked who he was supporting as town mayor. Piñol said he hoped the death of Bandila has nothing to do with coming elections as this would not be good for the image of the province. - Williamor A. Magbanua/LBG, GMANews.TV