COTABATO CITY — A 23-year-old man was wounded in a shooting incident late Tuesday night in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, prompting an intensified police investigation amid suspicions of a possible drug-related motive.
The victim, identified by authorities as “Joh” or Johari, a resident of Purok Balabaran in the same barangay, is currently undergoing treatment at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) after sustaining a gunshot wound to the buttocks.
According to Station 2 Commander Police Captain Anuar Mambatao, the incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. while the victim was walking home from Barangay Rosary Heights 9. Initial police investigation revealed that an unidentified suspect suddenly appeared and fired at the victim before fleeing the scene.
Responding officers recovered an empty shell believed to have come from a caliber .45 pistol, confirming the use of a high-powered firearm in the attack.
Witnesses told authorities that they did not hear loud gunshots during the incident, suggesting that the suspect may have used a firearm with a suppressor or fired at close range. However, this detail remains under verification as part of the ongoing investigation.
Personnel from Police Station 2, the Cotabato City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), and the 1404th Regional Mobile Company immediately responded and launched a dragnet operation. Lockdown protocols were also enforced at nearby Police Visibility Points (PVPs) to prevent the suspect’s escape.
Police further disclosed that the victim is a former Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Cotabato City Jail, previously detained for theft and alleged drug-related offenses. Investigators are now looking into possible links between the shooting and illegal drugs or personal disputes.
“While we are considering several angles, including a possible drug-related motive, we are still gathering evidence and testimonies to establish the real cause of the attack,” Mambatao said.
Authorities are appealing to the public to cooperate by providing any information that may help identify and locate the suspect. The Cotabato City Police Office assured residents that intensified patrols and security measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents and maintain public safety.
The investigation remains ongoing.