Incident Summary:

04/04/2018: Assailants opened fire on Antonio Takinan in Magpet, North Cotabato, Philippines. Takinan, an indigenous peoples' (IPs) mandatory councilor, was killed and two other people escorting Takinan were injured in the assault. The New People's Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the incident and stated that Antonio Takinan was targeted because of his participation in counter-insurgency campaigns and because he was guilty of human rights abuses. The NPA also accused Takinan of spying for the military, forcing people to join security forces to fight against the NPA, and extorting money from locals. Sources also noted that Takinan had previously received threats from the NPA for criticizing the group and that Takinan worked to convince people to join the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) rather than the NPA.

GTD ID:
201804040005

When:
2018-04-04

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

North Cotabato

City:
Magpet

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Assassination
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Magpet
Specific Description Indigenous Peoples (IP) Representative: Antonio Takinan
Nationality of Target Philippines
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Tagbac
Specific Description Indigenous Peoples (IP) Representative: Robello Tambunan
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Automatic Weapon
Firearms Handgun
Weapon Details
M16 assault rifles and .45-caliber pistols were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information The victims included Antonio Takinan's escort, Rene Soriano.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
New People's Army (NPA) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Personal claim)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 6
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 1 Fatalities / 2 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 1
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 2
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"NPA owns up to killing of NCotabato councilman," Manila Times (Philippines), April 8, 2018.
"NPA rebels kill lumad leader in North Cotabato, cop exec says," Philippines Daily Inquirer, April 5, 2018.
"NPAs tagged in ambush on Manobo leader in North Cotabato town," Philippine Star, April 5, 2018.