Brod of former MILF leader shot dead in Cotabato City

The brother of Eid Kabalu, former spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was shot dead on Friday by a still unidentified man in Cotabato City, a local police chief said Saturday. Nasser Kabalu, half-brother of the former MILF spokesman, was killed after an unidentified man shot him in Puroc Sampaloc, Barangay Bagwa in Cotabato City at 11:30 p.m. Friday, said Cotabato City police director Senior Superintendent Willie Dangane. The victim was walking home when the gunman, identified only as “Abo," approached him and shot him at the back, according to an initial investigation of the incident. The gunman fled towards the Bagua River after shooting the victim, the local police chief added. Responding policemen rushed the victim to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center, but he was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors. Dangane likewise said that personal grudge may have been the motive of the shooting, since the victim has recently been released from jail after facing charges of robbery hold-up, carnapping, and illegal drug use. A murder case is already being prepared against the gunman, who is currently being pursued by local cops, according to Dangane. Eid Kabalu was suspended for six months by the MILF last April for witnessing the signing of a covenant of then presidential bet Eduardo Villanueva and running mate Perfecto Yasay Jr.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV