MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao del Sur — Two men were killed in a gun attack in Barangay Tuka, Mamasapano town, around noon on Friday, August 29, 2025.
According to reports, the fatalities were identified as former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – Karialan Faction. They were killed in a shootout with government troops along the provincial road in Barangay Tuka.
The victims were identified as Muha K. Gamba and Nasir Akmad, both residents of Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak. They were reportedly on board a payung-payong (motorized tricycle) when they reached the Bravo Detachment of the 33rd Infantry Battalion. The two allegedly harassed and fired upon the soldiers, prompting government forces to return fire, resulting in their deaths.
Recovered from the scene were two .45 caliber pistols with ammunition, an M1 Garand rifle, and a hand grenade.
Local police in Mamasapano also responded to the incident and are conducting follow-up investigations.
This incident marks the nineth case of gun-related violence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since the start of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban for the upcoming first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, based on The Mindanao Sentinel election tracker.
Authorities have once again urged the public to cooperate in reporting armed individuals and groups as part of efforts to prevent further violence during the election period.