MIDSAYAP, Cotabato — A Muslim preacher and local government employee was killed in a brazen daylight shooting in Poblacion 4, Midsayap, Cotabato on Sunday afternoon, triggering an intensive manhunt by police authorities.
The victim was identified as Hashim Subo, of legal age, a resident of Barangay Liliongan, Carmen, Cotabato, and an Ustadz who also served as an employee of the Local Government Unit of Kadayangan under the Office of the Mayor in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
According to the Midsayap Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 2:10 p.m. while Subo was riding his motorcycle along a section of Poblacion 4. He was reportedly tailed by two unidentified male suspects riding tandem on an orange-colored scooter.
Upon reaching a certain point, the suspects allegedly closed in and shot Subo in the head, causing his immediate death. The assailants then fled the scene at high speed, heading in an unknown direction.
Responding police officers rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
In response, the Midsayap PNP immediately activated a flash alarm, alerted neighboring police units, coordinated with fixed checkpoints in the area, and notified police stations within the SGA BARMM to block possible escape routes. A hot pursuit operation is currently underway.
Police said they are still investigating the motive behind the killing and are working to determine whether the attack was work-related, personal, or politically motivated.
“Investigation is ongoing and all angles are being considered. We are coordinating with concerned agencies and gathering CCTV footage and witness statements to identify the suspects,” the Midsayap PNP said in a statement.
Authorities assured the public that they are exerting all efforts to identify and arrest those responsible and urged anyone with information about the incident to immediately report to the nearest police station.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.