Kidapawan City reports first election day violence

KIDAPAWAN CITY— A supporter of an incumbent lawmaker died while his companion was wounded in a strafing incident at 1:05 a.m. Monday, the first reported incidence of violence on election day, local police said. Superintendent Chino Mamburam, the city police director, identified the fatality as Johnny Magbanua, 28, single and resident of Barangay (village) Meohao this city. Leo Laguindanom was injured and was later reported to be in safe condition at the Kidapawan City Doctors’ Hospital Inc, Mamburam said. Magbanua’s group was reportedly chasing a white multicab with supporters of Rep. Bernardo Piñol’s rival congressional bet Nancy Catamco when unidentified men fired at them. Catamco’s camp was allegedly distributing anti-Piñol campaign materials. The congressman's supporters were following Catamco's group when the attack occurred. “This is the first election-related violence that occurred in Kidapawan," Mamburam said. Police investigators recovered two empty shells and slugs of a cal-.45 pistol from the crime site. Catamco is the president of NCTV cable and is running as 2nd district Representative under the administration party Lakas-Kampi. Piñol is seeking reelection under the Liberal Party. — Williamor Magbanua/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV