DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A 52-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified assailants who barged into her home in Sitio Mapayag, Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, on Friday night, October 24, 2025.
The victim was identified by the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOS-MPS) as Bailabi Mlok Bangon, a resident of the said barangay.
According to Police Chief Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, they received a call from a concerned citizen around 10:15 p.m. reporting a shooting incident in the area. Responding police officers found the lifeless body of Bangon lying in a pool of blood inside her home.
Initial investigation revealed that two unidentified gunmen forcibly entered the victim’s residence and opened fire without hesitation, hitting Bangon twice. Two spent shells were recovered from the crime scene.
The assailants immediately fled toward a nearby forested area after committing the crime. A hot pursuit operation was launched by the police to track down the suspects.
Authorities are still conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the motive behind the brutal killing and to identify those responsible.
Police urged anyone with information about the suspects or the motive to come forward and cooperate in the ongoing investigation.
This latest shooting adds to the growing concern over the spate of gun-related violence in parts of Maguindanao del Norte, highlighting the urgent need for stronger community vigilance and sustained law enforcement presence in the region.