MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao del Sur — Violence has once again struck a rural community in Mamasapano, where two farmers were shot dead late Wednesday night, even as Muslim communities observe the sacred month of Ramadan—a time traditionally marked by prayer, restraint, and peace.
Police are continuing their investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred around 10:10 p.m. on February 25, 2026, in Sitio Dacumoya, Barangay Mamasapano. The victims were identified as Gohan Bayaw and Lalang Masulot, both farmers and residents connected to the area. Authorities said both men died instantly after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
According to initial findings from the Mamasapano Municipal Police Station, the victims were riding a blue Kawasaki Fury motorcycle without a license plate while traveling along the road in Sitio Dacumoya when unidentified gunmen suddenly opened fire on them. The attackers quickly fled the scene after the shooting.
Responding police officers were alerted about the incident by a local official and rushed to the area, which is located about five kilometers from the town police station. When authorities arrived, they found the lifeless bodies of Bayaw and Masulot lying at the crime scene.
Investigators said the victims may have been ambushed while passing through the area. Both men sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies, resulting in their immediate death.
The tragedy has raised concern among residents, especially as the attack took place during Ramadan—a period when communities across Muslim Mindanao usually emphasize unity, reflection, and the avoidance of conflict. Instead, the killings have renewed fears that violence continues to haunt even the most solemn period of the year.
Police said one of the victims was reportedly a resident of nearby Buluan who had married someone from Mamasapano. Authorities are now working to determine whether the victims were specifically targeted or if the attack was linked to an ongoing dispute or other criminal motives.
Immediately after the incident, the Mamasapano MPS coordinated with nearby police stations and government security forces, including the Philippine National Police units in the region and the 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, to launch a hot pursuit operation against the fleeing suspects.
As of this writing, the gunmen remain unidentified, and the motive behind the killings is still unclear. Police investigators are gathering evidence and searching for witnesses who may help identify those responsible for the attack.
Authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that could aid in solving the case, stressing that cooperation from the community is crucial to bringing justice to the victims and restoring a sense of safety in the area.
For many residents, however, the incident underscores a painful reality: even during Ramadan—when violence is expected to pause—bloodshed continues to claim lives in vulnerable communities.