Cotabato City, Philippines – A construction worker was fatally shot on the afternoon of December 26, 2024, along Diversion Road in Barangay Poblacion 9, Cotabato City. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Ariel Matas Sumalpong, a resident of Barangay Biniruan, was reportedly attacked by an acquaintance who also served as his driver.
According to Barangay Captain Jonas Mohammad of Poblacion 9, Sumalpong was en route to his workplace aboard a motorcycle driven by the suspect when the incident occurred. Reports indicate that the suspect briefly stopped the motorcycle and asked Sumalpong to dismount. As Sumalpong stepped down and momentarily let his guard down, the suspect opened fire, hitting him multiple times.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the shooting happened in front of Sumalpong’s wife, who was bidding him farewell as he left for work. Barangay officials noted that the suspect’s identity remains unclear, as he was wearing a facemask at the time of the crime.
Additional details from the Cotabato City Police Office reveal that the victim was aboard a motorcycle taxi, locally known as a “habal-habal,” when he was followed by a riding-in-tandem suspect. Upon reaching Diversion Road, the suspect fired at Sumalpong, striking him in various parts of his body.
Sumalpong sustained seven gunshot wounds to the head and body, inflicted by a .45 caliber pistol based on the shell casings recovered at the scene. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Authorities recovered seven shell casings from the crime scene, supporting witness accounts. Investigators are exploring multiple motives, with personal grudge cited as a potential angle behind the killing.
The authorities have launched a manhunt operation to locate and apprehend the suspect. Meanwhile, Sumalpong’s grieving family is seeking justice for his untimely death.