Former TV reporter turned human rights worker shot dead in Cotabato City

Photo: Archad Ayao/FB
Photo: Archad Ayao/FB

A former ABS-CBN TV reporter turned Human Rights Commission investigator for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was shot dead in Cotabato City while riding a habal-habal (motorcycle for hire) last night.

He was identified as Archad Ayao, 28, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. The motorcycle’s driver, Pio Orteza, 42, also died.

According to a police report, the victims were traversing in front of the Office of the District Engineer along Don Ramon Rabago St. in Barangay (Village) Rosary Heights 4 at around 6:10pm when an unidentified assailant aboard a black Honda XRM 125 motorcycle shot the two men in the head, Rappler reported. The assailant then fled the crime scene.

The victims were shot shortly after Ayao left his apartment, GMA News reported. They were rushed to the hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.

Authorities managed to get the suspect’s motorbike plate number which is 1810 MR. Recovered from the crime scene were two empty shells of a cal. 45 pistol.

The motive behind the killing has yet to be determined, according to police. Investigators are also probing if the killing was connected with Ayao’s human rights cases.



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