COTABATO CITY — A delivery rider lost more than ₱28,000 after he was held up at gunpoint along the diversion road in Barangay Tamontaka 2 early Saturday afternoon, November 22.
The victim, known by the alias Tan, a resident of Barangay Semba in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, told authorities that the incident happened at around 1 p.m. while he was on his way to deliver collections.
According to Tan, a man suddenly emerged from a vacant lot and blocked his path, initially pretending to ask for help. But within seconds, the suspect pulled out a firearm and a long-bladed weapon and declared a holdup.
With no other people in the area at the time, the rider said he froze in fear and was unable to shout for help. The suspect took a total of ₱28,250 — money consisting of delivery collections, paluwagan funds, and his personal savings — before fleeing on foot.
Once he managed to move away from the scene, Tan immediately reported the incident to the Cotabato City Police and the Barangay Local Government Unit of Tamontaka 2.
Beyond the financial loss, Tan expressed deep worry that the incident might cost him his job — his only stable source of income for supporting his family.
Tamontaka 2 Chairwoman Bai Laina Pangilan and local police authorities have assured the victim that they are working to identify and arrest the suspect. Investigators are now reviewing possible leads and conducting follow-up operations.
Authorities urged residents and riders to remain vigilant when passing through isolated portions of the diversion road, especially during midday hours.