MATALAM, COTABATO — A 59-year-old hog dealer was shot dead by riding-in-tandem assailants on Monday afternoon, December 1, in what authorities say is the latest in a string of deadly shootings in the municipality.
The victim was identified as Ambrosio Espino Rios, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Matalam. According to the Matalam Municipal Police Station (MPS), Rios was driving his top-down motorcycle carrying livestock when two armed men approached and repeatedly shot him at Crossing Ilian, Purok 7, Barangay Kilada, around 2:30 p.m.
Witnesses said the suspects were wearing shawls to conceal their identities before fleeing on a black Honda Click motorcycle. Emergency responders rushed Rios to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Police strongly condemned the attack and immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the perpetrators. Investigators are also determining the motive behind the killing, noting that the assault bore the hallmark of previous targeted shootings in the area.
Monday’s incident comes just two days after another shooting in Barangay Kibia, where three men riding a motorcycle were ambushed. One victim died, another was seriously wounded, while the third managed to escape.
Authorities said they are now looking into possible links between the two incidents as residents express growing concern over the rising pattern of violence involving motorcycle-riding gunmen in the municipality.
The Matalam police are expected to release a full report as the investigation continues.