RAJAH BUAYAN, Maguindanao del Sur — A farmer was shot dead in broad daylight in Barangay Malibpolok, Rajah Buayan town, Maguindanao del Sur, on Saturday afternoon, February 7, 2026, triggering a police manhunt for the still unidentified gunman.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Roland,” was a married man, of legal age, and a resident of Barangay Gadungan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha. He was engaged in farming and was reportedly walking along a barangay road in Sitio Balanak at around 5:20 p.m. when he was suddenly attacked.
According to the Rajah Buayan Municipal Police Station (RBMPS), the suspect approached the victim and fired a shot that struck him in the head using an unidentified firearm. The attacker immediately fled toward an unknown direction after the shooting.
Roland was declared dead on the spot due to the severity of his head wound. Responding police officers arrived at the crime scene at around 5:30 p.m. and immediately secured the area and conducted initial crime scene processing.
During the investigation, authorities recovered two spent shell casings believed to be from a .45 caliber firearm. These were turned over for forensic examination to help identify the weapon used in the crime.
However, the victim’s family declined to allow the conduct of a full Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) examination. The body was immediately taken by the victim’s father-in-law in accordance with Muslim burial traditions.
Following the incident, the chief of police of Rajah Buayan coordinated with nearby police stations and the Philippine Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion to launch a dragnet operation aimed at tracking down the fleeing suspect.
Police said they are continuing their in-depth investigation to determine the motive behind the killing and to identify those responsible. Investigators have also been coordinating closely with the victim’s family and community members to gather additional information that could help solve the case.
Authorities urged anyone with knowledge about the shooting to cooperate with law enforcement and report relevant information, stressing that public assistance is vital in bringing the perpetrator to justice.
The killing has once again raised concerns over public safety in parts of Maguindanao del Sur, as residents call for stronger security measures and intensified law enforcement presence to prevent similar incidents.