January 18, 2025
MIDSAYAP, Cotabato – A former municipal councilor running for re-election in Northern Kabuntalan was shot dead by unidentified assailants late Monday afternoon.
The victim, identified as Jerry Beltran Dofredo, 46, was ambushed near the boundary of Central Katingawan and San Isidro in Midsayap, North Cotabato, at around 5:00 PM.
Dofredo, a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Paulino Labio in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte, was riding his motorcycle when two gunmen on another motorcycle opened fire on him. The attack left him fatally wounded.
Dofredo, a former barangay councilor and municipal councilor, was seeking another term in the upcoming elections in Northern Kabuntalan.
The Midsayap police are investigating the incident to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators. Authorities have not yet released further details on the case.
This violent attack has sparked concerns about election-related violence in the region as the local election season approaches.