SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A 31-year-old man with a mental disability was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on Tuesday night, November 4, in Barangay Bulalo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The victim, identified as Sandiali Manibpel Dumagkal, a resident of Purok Malaigang, was walking along the barangay road around 10:10 p.m. when the assailant approached and suddenly opened fire without apparent reason, according to a report from the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station (SKMPS).
Dumagkal sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and died instantly at the scene.
Responding Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered three spent shells of an unidentified caliber firearm from the area.
Authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation to track down and arrest the suspect. Investigators are also determining the possible motive behind the killing, as residents expressed shock over the seemingly senseless act of violence.
Police said the attack appeared unprovoked, and the victim was not known to have enemies in the community.
The incident adds to growing public concern over the safety of vulnerable individuals, particularly those with mental health conditions, in rural communities of Maguindanao del Norte.