COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 19 January) – Despite the election gun ban and  tightened security for the Sto. Nino-Halad Festival in Midsayap, North Cotabato, motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed a candidate for councilor in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte. 

The victim was identified as Jerry Dofredo. According to the report of Midsayap police, Dofredo was riding his motorcycle when gunned down by riding-in-tandem suspects at around 5 p.m. in San Isidro.

Authorities have yet to determine if the killing was election-related.  (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)