DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A farmer was shot dead by his own uncle shortly after they finished praying at a mosque Monday afternoon, March 9, in what police said stemmed from a long-standing personal grievance.
Authorities identified the victim as Benzar Lindongan, a resident of Barangay Bongued in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat. He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The suspect, identified as Polo Lindongan, also a farmer and the victim’s uncle, was later arrested with the help of local residents and the local government.
According to the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, the shooting occurred at around 4:00 p.m. in Sitio Irrigation, Barangay Bongued, shortly after the Asr prayer at a nearby mosque.
Initial police investigation revealed that both the suspect and the victim had just exited the mosque following the Salah, or Islamic prayer, when the suspect suddenly opened fire on his nephew.
Police said the suspect used an M-16 Armalite rifle and allegedly fired two shots, hitting the victim and causing fatal injuries.
The wounded farmer was rushed to a hospital by responding residents, but doctors later pronounced him dead on arrival.
During initial questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted to the shooting and claimed he had long endured mockery from his nephew, particularly when he performed the Azan, the Islamic call to prayer.
According to the suspect, Benzar Lindongan would often ridicule him whenever he carried out religious duties at the mosque. Earlier that day, during the time of the Asr prayer, the suspect alleged that the victim again mocked him, which triggered his anger.
After completing the prayer, the suspect reportedly went to retrieve his firearm and returned to shoot his nephew.
Captain Sammy Paning, Deputy Chief of Police for Operations of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Police, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended shortly after the incident through the assistance of residents and local officials.
Paning urged community members to avoid letting anger escalate into violence.
“We appeal to everyone not to allow emotions to take control and to avoid mocking others, as such actions can lead to tragic consequences,” he said.
The suspect is currently under police custody and will undergo booking procedures and a paraffin test to determine if he had recently fired a gun.
Meanwhile, the M-16 rifle used in the shooting has been confiscated and will be subjected to ballistics examination by the Regional Forensic Unit of the Police Regional Office–BARMM.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
The suspect is expected to face appropriate criminal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of his nephew.