Maguindanao del Sur – July 16, 2025 — Two separate fatal shooting incidents claimed the lives of a coconut delivery driver and a municipal engineer in different parts of Maguindanao del Sur on the same day, raising renewed fears over the province’s deteriorating peace and order situation.
At around 2:00 PM, a coconut (niog) delivery driver, identified only as “Borie”, was shot dead in broad daylight at the boundary of Barangay Makainis and Barangay Lasangan in General Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP). Borie, reportedly married, was declared dead on the spot after unidentified gunmen opened fire and fled the scene immediately. The brazen attack sent shockwaves through the community, with residents expressing alarm over the growing violence.
Just a few hours later, at around 6:30 PM, another life was claimed in a deadly ambush in Barangay Timbangan, Shariff Aguak. The victim, Engr. Ariff Malang, a Municipal Engineer of Shariff Saydona and resident of Maganoy, Shariff Aguak, was on his way home aboard his black Toyota vehicle when he was ambushed by armed suspects. He was rushed to the nearest medical facility by concerned residents but was declared dead on arrival.
Family members, friends, and colleagues of Engr. Malang are now calling for justice, urging authorities to swiftly identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Local police in both municipalities are conducting parallel investigations to determine the identities of the perpetrators and the motives behind the killings.
These twin incidents highlight the persistent threat of violence in the province, prompting renewed calls for strengthened law enforcement and community vigilance.