COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 31, 2010) – Philippine police is investigating a member of the former rebel group Moro National Liberation Front who fatally shot a civilian in the troubled city of Cotabato in Mindanao, officials said Saturday.

Police said Jonel Pandalat attacked Roger Aragona, 50, while buying charcoal on Thursday and escaped after the shooting.

Pandalat was later arrested by pursuing policemen in Cotabato City, officials said, adding, a .45-caliber pistol was also seized from the former rebel, including a Moro National Liberation Front identification card.

The motive of the killing was unknown and Pandalat refused to answer interrogation by policemen. Pandalat is facing murder charges, police said.

It was not immediately known whether Pandalat is involved in other killings in Cotabato. Gun attacks in Cotabato City are not uncommon and many of the crimes remain unsolved. (Mindanao Examiner)