MAMASAPANO, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR — A commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was gunned down by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano, on the evening of May 30.
The victim was identified by relatives as Mahdi Eskak, also known by the alias “Supremo,” a battalion commander of the National Guard and Task Force Etihad.
According to witnesses, Mahdi was resting outside his home at around 9:00 PM when an unknown gunman approached him and opened fire without warning. The suspect immediately fled the scene after the shooting.
Initial reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that Mahdi sustained at least 18 gunshot wounds from a .45 caliber firearm, hitting various parts of his body and resulting in his immediate death.
Authorities believe the excessive number of gunshot wounds may indicate intense anger or a personal grudge on the part of the assailant.
Mahdi’s family is calling for justice, saying they are unaware of any conflict that could have led to his violent death. “We don’t know why he was killed. We hope the authorities can help us find the truth,” a family member said.
The PNP has launched a thorough investigation to identify the gunman and determine the motive behind the killing. So far, no suspects have been named.