MALABANG, Lanao del Sur — A tricycle driver was killed in an armed ambush in Barangay Matling, Malabang, Lanao del Sur, on Sunday afternoon, August 31, 2025, despite the ongoing Commission on Elections (COMELEC) gun ban ahead of the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) 1st Parliamentary Elections.
According to witnesses, unidentified armed men swiftly carried out the attack, firing multiple shots at the victim who died instantly from several gunshot wounds. The assailants immediately fled the scene, leaving residents in shock.
Responding police personnel from the Malabang Municipal Police Station conducted an investigation at the crime site. The victim’s remains were brought to a local funeral home for autopsy, while authorities continue efforts to establish his identity.
Local officials confirmed that the perpetrators escaped quickly, making it difficult for law enforcers to pursue them. Investigators are now appealing to the public for any information that could help in identifying the suspects and clarifying the motive behind the attack.
The incident occurred while the COMELEC gun ban is in effect, a measure imposed to ensure peace and security in the lead-up to the historic BARMM Parliamentary Elections. Authorities stressed that carrying firearms outside of designated exemptions remains strictly prohibited during this period.
Police said follow-up operations are underway as they work to solve the case and prevent further election-related violence in the area.