COTABATO CITY — A 24-year-old payong-payong driver was wounded after he was shot by armed robbers during a hold-up incident Thursday evening, March 5, along Jose Lim Sr. Street in Barangay Poblacion 5, near the city’s bus terminal.
The victim was identified as Datu Haron, a resident of Purok Mangga in Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Police said Haron was driving his black Kawasaki Bajaj 125cc payong-payong motorcycle with plate number 370MEF and was on his way to Manday when the incident occurred at around 6 p.m.
Riding with him were two passengers, Baleng Sobrivilla and Tata Sobrivilla, both vegetable vendors and residents of Manday, Cotabato City.
According to the initial investigation by the Cotabato City Police Office, three unidentified men riding a single motorcycle suddenly approached and blocked the victims along Jose Lim Street and declared a hold-up.
Authorities said Haron attempted to resist the robbery, prompting one of the suspects to open fire.
The driver was hit in the arm and side, leaving him wounded but conscious.
Despite the attack, the two passengers managed to survive the ordeal.
The suspects reportedly seized a cellphone and approximately ₱4,000 in cash from the two vendors before quickly fleeing the scene toward the Bajunaid area.
Responders rushed Haron to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, where he is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
Police from Station 1 of the Cotabato City Police Office have launched a hot pursuit operation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Investigators are also gathering additional evidence and reviewing possible CCTV footage from nearby establishments, particularly around the bus terminal area, which is known to be a busy transport hub.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the suspects to coordinate with the police as efforts continue to track down the armed robbers responsible for the shooting and robbery.
The incident has raised concerns among drivers and small transport operators in the city, particularly those operating payong-payong motorcycles that commonly transport vendors and commuters during evening hours.