Kidapawan City, North Cotabato – Barely a day after a university professor was laid to rest following her fatal shooting last week, another woman fell victim to gun violence in Kidapawan City.
The latest incident occurred around 7:00 AM today in Suerte Subdivision, Barangay Sudapin, where 36-year-old Mae Angeline Agapay-Batingkay, a resident of Barangay Magsaysay, was shot dead by unidentified assailants.
Batingkay, who had just passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), was on her way home after dropping off her child at Suerte Elementary School. Riding her motorcycle, she was ambushed by two men on another motorcycle who shot her in the head. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting, leaving her dead on the spot.
CCTV Footage Reveals Brutality
Security camera footage captured the crime, showing the suspects waiting at a street corner. As Batingkay approached, the gunman fired three shots directly at her head, resulting in her instant death. The assailants were riding a Bajaj motorcycle without a license plate. Other CCTV footage from nearby establishments also captured clear images of the suspects’ faces, providing critical leads for the investigation.
Background Under Investigation
According to initial reports, Batingkay had been working as a collector for a soap company while preparing for her new career in teaching. She leaves behind four children, now mourning the tragic and senseless loss of their mother.
City Government Condemns the Violence
In response to the recent shootings, the City Government of Kidapawan issued a strong statement condemning the violence:
“The City Government strongly condemns the shooting incidents of two female victims in our City. Violence, resulting in the senseless loss of lives, has no place in Kidapawan, a peace-loving community where people live in general harmony.
I have already instructed the Chief of Police and all investigative agencies to exert all efforts to ensure the apprehension of the suspects. The City Government will offer a reward of P100,000.00 for anyone who can provide information as to the identity of any of the perpetrators.
I trust that with all the resources of our police force, we will be able to attain justice for the bereaved families of the victims, and our community as a whole.
I urge everyone to remain calm but vigilant, as we continuously pray and work together for a safe and peaceful Kidapawan.
Daghang salamat.”
Calls for Justice
The victim’s family is crying out for justice, urging authorities to expedite their investigation and apprehend the perpetrators. Kidapawan PNP is actively gathering information to determine the suspects’ identities and any possible motives behind the crime.
This incident follows the earlier murder of a university professor, raising concerns about public safety in Kidapawan City. Authorities assure the public that measures are being taken to address these alarming incidents of violence.
As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with grief and fear, demanding swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the city.