ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 43-year-old sawmill owner was seriously injured after being shot by two unidentified riding-in-tandem suspects in Purok 1, Lawingan, Barangay Labuan, on Thursday morning, October 16, 2025.
The victim was identified as Melvin Bonifacio y Sebuja, a resident of Barangay Labuan and owner of a local sawmill business.
According to the report of Zamboanga City Police Station 10 (ZCPS10), officers received a call around 9:20 a.m. from a concerned citizen reporting a shooting incident. Responding police personnel, led by Police Captain Abdulaziz A. Salahuddin, immediately proceeded to the area.
“Upon arrival, we were informed that the victim had already been rushed to Labuan General Hospital for immediate medical treatment,” said PCapt. Salahuddin.
Based on the account of witness Julius Demarayi, Bonifacio had just arrived at his sawmill aboard his motorcycle when two men on a black motorcycle coming from the direction of Labuan stopped nearby. The back rider suddenly drew a firearm and shot Bonifacio before the duo sped off toward an unknown direction.
“We were caught off guard. Everything happened so fast — I only heard the gunshot and saw Melvin fall to the ground,” the witness said.
No spent shells were recovered from the crime scene as the area had already been disturbed by onlookers before investigators arrived.
Bonifacio sustained a gunshot wound to the back and remains confined at the hospital.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects were captured on CCTV, which could play a crucial role in identifying them. A hot pursuit operation and follow-up investigation are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Tension remains high in the area as residents express fear following the brazen daylight shooting.
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