Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte – A tragic shooting incident claimed the life of 36-year-old Darlene Pacete, an employee of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, on Thursday morning, November 14, 2024. The shooting occurred at approximately 11:48 a.m. along the Cotabato-Shariff Aguak road in Sitio Groto, Barangay Tamontaka.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Pacete, a resident of Barangay Mintex in Datu Odin Sinsuat, was dining with her colleagues at a local eatery when an unidentified gunman approached from behind and shot her in the back of the neck. The gunshot wound led to her immediate death.
Authorities found a .45 caliber bullet casing and a deformed slug at the crime scene. The gunman reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle heading north.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the attack and are working to identify the suspect. A hot pursuit operation has been launched, and police are reviewing potential CCTV footage in the area to aid in the investigation. The victim’s remains were brought to a funeral home in Cotabato City.
