SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A bodyguard of Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu shot dead two law enforcement agents of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last Monday over a minor misunderstanding, authorities said Tuesday.

The security personnel, 39-year old Mohamedin Panegas Ali, a resident of Buluan, reportedly killed 60-year-old Seferino Abadia and retired police officer Delfin Orines inside the SBMA Law Enforcement Department building around 5 p.m. Monday.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said Ali was a part of the security contingent of Mangudadatu who came to this premier Freeport for some rest and relaxation over the weekend.

Mangudadatu’s candidacy for governor of his province triggered the infamous Maguindanao massacre last November 23, when 57 civilians were killed, including at least 30 journalists.

He was in Manila last Tuesday to attend court proceedings in connection with the massacre.

“He was with Vice Mayor Mangudadatu’s entourage who came here, but went missing when the group left Subic last Sunday. Their group called us up, telling that one of their men was missing and that they were concerned about him because of the situation,” Arreza said.

According to Arreza, SBMA law enforcers searched the Subic Bay Freeport and found Ali in a hotel room in Cubi. The law enforcers asked him to surrender his service firearm, which Ali did without hesitation.

The law enforcers took Ali to the LED building where two other officers, Edwin Nopal and Rexie Alinea, started preparing an Evidence Custody Receipt (ECR) for Ali’s licensed .45 caliber pistol.

A report from the LED stated that while inside the room, Ali tried to get his identification card which was taken along with his gun. However, he was stopped by Nopal who apparently thought Ali was going for his gun.

In the ensuing scuffle, Ali was able to grab his gun and aimed at Alinea, but Nopal grabbed him and the two wrestled. Five shots then rang out before the weapon jammed and Ali was subdued.

Two shots went whizzing by Alinea, who dodged the bullets, while two more went past the closed door where Orines and Abadia were standing by. Both were hit in the chest.

The two victims died while on their way to the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

The LED has turned over the suspect to the Olongapo City Police Office for further questioning by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“This incident is a testament to the hazards that our law enforcement officers face everyday in the performance of their duties. We assure the Freeport community and the public that the SBMA LED will continue to serve them and remain steadfast in their commitment to secure their investments, property and lives, even at the risk of their own,” Arreza said.

The SBMA said it will give commendations and compensation to those who helped subdue Ali.