DATU PIANG, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR — A 30-year-old car dealer was shot dead by unidentified gunmen along the national highway in Barangay Magaslong, Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, on Wednesday morning, October 29.
Police identified the victim as Mohamidin Abdulkadir Takan, also known as “Tice”, a resident of Barangay Butilen, Datu Salibo, and a known dealer in surplus car buy-and-sell.
Initial investigation revealed that Takan was cleaning his white Isuzu minivan by the roadside when two men on a black-and-white Honda XRM motorcycle approached. One of the suspects, wearing a green jacket, alighted and shot the victim multiple times from behind, killing him instantly.
After the attack, the assailants immediately fled toward the direction of Datu Salibo, police said. Concerned citizens alerted authorities, prompting personnel from the Datu Piang Municipal Police Station to respond to the crime scene.
Investigators recovered seven fired cartridge cases from an unidentified caliber firearm, which have been turned over for ballistic examination.
Police have launched a pursuit operation in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) to identify and apprehend the suspects behind the fatal shooting.
Authorities are still determining the motive for the killing.