JOLO, Sulu — Violence struck Jolo anew on Sunday, July 12, as two separate shooting incidents claimed the life of a civilian and left a Philippine Army soldier wounded, prompting authorities to launch hot pursuit operations while investigators work to determine the identities and motives of the perpetrators.
The first incident occurred at around 4:50 p.m. in Kasalamatan Village, Barangay San Raymundo, where a 42-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified gunman.
Police identified the fatality as Ebrakin Mamong Nur, married and a resident of Kalimayahan Village, Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.
Based on the initial investigation conducted by responding personnel of the Jolo Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by PLt. Benhar Asaddi, Deputy Chief of Police, under the supervision of PLTC Kris Conrad Gutierrez, the victim was walking along the area when the assailant suddenly opened fire, hitting him multiple times in different parts of his body.
Nur died instantly due to the severity of his gunshot wounds before medical responders could provide assistance.
Crime scene investigators recovered four spent cartridge cases and one deformed slug from a caliber .45 pistol. Also found at the scene were two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, two plastic straws with suspected shabu residue, and several drug paraphernalia, which are now undergoing further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation, but the suspect managed to flee toward an unknown direction.
Just hours later, at around 7:30 p.m., another shooting incident occurred along Gandasuli Road, Barangay Bus-Bus, where a Philippine Army soldier became the target of a separate attack.
The victim was identified as Corporal Ernesto I. Cataylo Jr., 28, single, a member of the Philippine Army and a resident of Zamboanga City.
Initial police reports revealed that Cpl. Cataylo was riding his Honda TMX motorcycle when he was suddenly attacked by riding-in-tandem gunmen, who repeatedly fired at him before fleeing the scene.
The soldier sustained gunshot wounds on his right hand and other parts of his body.
Responding police officers immediately rushed the wounded soldier to the Station Hospital of the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division for emergency treatment before he was later transferred to another hospital in the municipality of Jolo for further medical care.
Authorities also conducted a hot pursuit operation following the attack, but the suspects escaped before law enforcement units could intercept them.
The Jolo Municipal Police Station is conducting separate investigations into both incidents to establish whether the attacks are connected and to determine the identities of those responsible as well as the motives behind the shootings.
The twin shooting incidents underscore continuing security concerns in parts of Sulu, where authorities remain on heightened alert while pursuing those behind the attacks. Police have urged anyone with information that could help identify the suspects to coordinate with law enforcement as efforts continue to bring the perpetrators to justice.