KABACAN, Cotabato — A 52-year-old tricycle driver was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after he was gunned down in a brazen daylight attack along the Cotabato–Davao Road in Sitio Malabuaya, Barangay Kayaga, on Sunday morning, December 28.
The victim was identified as Brocks Kasolutan Blaem, married, and a resident of Bulod Proper, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.
Initial police reports said Blaem was driving his tricycle around 7:30 a.m. when unidentified armed suspects opened fire at him. Witnesses described the assailant as wearing a black jacket and riding a black Bajaj motorcycle as a getaway vehicle. The shooter sped off immediately after the attack.
Blaem sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead by attending physicians.
Authorities from the Kabacan Municipal Police Station are conducting a hot pursuit operation to track down the fleeing suspect. Investigators are also working to determine the motive behind the killing.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have helpful information to come forward and assist in solving the case.