Election hopeful gunned down in front of children

Manila: Unidentified gunmen have killed a Filipino-Chinese businessman who was running for the city council in Cotabato City where 57 people were massacred in an election-related incident last November, a radio report said yesterday.

Joseph Kwan Datuwata, 42, and his two children were aboard a pick-up truck as they left their home at Rosary Heights 10 when two gunmen with .45-calibre pistols fired at them at 7am yesterday, Senior Inspector Wally Kasuyo said in the report.

Datuwata shot back and chased his attackers down the street, wounding one, but they fled in a getaway vehicle, said Kasuyo, adding that no one had yet been arrested for the murder.

Police found Datuwata's body and two hand guns in his vehicle, Kasuyo said, adding that policemen rescued Datuwata's wounded children. Doctors later declared the pair stable.

Datuwata is the 63rd person killed ahead of this year's May elections.

"The Philippine National Police are trying to stop more killings prior to the elections," said Kasuyo.

He said more policemen would be fielded to the country's elections hot-spots.

Datuwata was a candidate of the party of mayoral bet Bai Zeny Dilangalen, wife of Congressman Didagen Dilangalen, of the first district of Cotabato.

Dilangalen used to be an ally of former President Joseph Estrada, but changed allegiance to President Gloria Arroyo when the former was ousted in 2001.

Oscar Animo, organiser of the ruling Lakas, was gunned down on his motorcycle in Tagana-an town in the south on February 2.

Wilbert Suanco Origenes, the opposition's vice-mayor candidate, was shot dead last December.

Some 57 relatives and supporters of Vice-Mayor Toto Mangungudatu, including 31 journalists, were allegedly massacred by followers of rival Andal Ampatuan Jr, mayor of Unsay town, in Maguindanao. Ampatuan Jr is facing murder charges for the incident.

The young Ampatuan and Mangudadatu were vying for the gubernatorial seat of Maguindanao, a post held by Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Yesterday's incident occurred 20 kilometres away from where the gruesome massacre happened.

A state of emergency remained in place and more security forces were deployed to prevent more election-related violence in Maguindanao.