MIDSAYAP, Cotabato — A municipal councilor from the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was wounded after being shot by unidentified assailants in a brazen daylight attack along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion 8 here on Monday, March 16, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Al-Hamidie Sampulna Mohamad, 42, married, and currently serving as a municipal councilor of the Municipality of Nabalawag in the SGA-BARMM. He is a resident of Barangay Olandang in Nabalawag.
According to the initial investigation by the Midsayap Municipal Police Station (MPS), the incident occurred at around 12:33 p.m. shortly after Mohamad arrived in the area onboard his bronze Toyota Fortuner with plate number NCY 3252.
Witnesses said the councilor had just stepped out of his vehicle when two unidentified men riding a blue Yamaha Sniper motorcycle suddenly approached him. Both suspects were reportedly dressed in black.
Police said the back rider disembarked from the motorcycle and, without warning, opened fire multiple times using a .45 caliber pistol, striking Mohamad in both legs. After the shooting, the assailants quickly fled toward an undetermined direction, triggering panic among bystanders in the busy area.
The wounded councilor was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment. Medical reports indicated that three bullets penetrated his legs, causing fractures that require surgical intervention. Despite his injuries, authorities said the victim is now in stable condition.
During the crime scene processing, investigators recovered nine empty shells and three deformed slugs believed to have come from a .45 caliber firearm used in the attack.
Police are currently coordinating with the management of an establishment near the scene to obtain CCTV footage, which investigators believe could provide crucial leads in identifying the suspects and reconstructing the sequence of events.
Authorities have also issued a flash alarm to nearby police units and established heightened checkpoint operations as part of an ongoing hot pursuit operation to track down the gunmen, who remain at large.
Investigators are still determining the motive behind the attack, including the possibility of political or personal angles, as the probe continues.
The police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that may help identify and arrest the perpetrators responsible for the shooting of the BARMM official.