PAHAMUDDIN, Special Geographic Area (SGA), BARMM — A 31-year-old man was killed while his companion was wounded after unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants opened fire on them in Barangay Buricain, Pahamuddin, Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), on Thursday afternoon, August 27, 2026.
According to the Pahamuddin Municipal Police Station, the shooting occurred at around 2:00 p.m. as the two men were traveling on a motorcycle through Barangay Buricain.
Police identified the fatality as Farhan Endaw Lidasan, 31, a resident of Barangay Alamada, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Lidasan was reportedly riding as a backrider when the assailants attacked. He sustained gunshot wounds to his head and body, resulting in his immediate death.
His companion, identified as Laudan Apongan Untong, 30, a welder and resident of Barangay Tubon, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, was driving the motorcycle at the time of the attack.
Untong sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was immediately transported to the nearest hospital in Libungan, North Cotabato, for medical treatment.
Assailants reportedly followed victims
Based on the police’s initial investigation, Lidasan and Untong were reportedly not acquainted with each other.
Police said Lidasan allegedly asked for a ride from Untong, who was traveling toward Pigcawayan. While they were passing through Barangay Buricain, they were reportedly followed by unidentified suspects who were also riding a motorcycle.
The suspects then allegedly opened fire on the two men before fleeing the area.
Investigators are now working to establish the identities of the attackers and determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Five shell casings recovered
Police investigators recovered three .45-caliber shell casings and two shell casings believed to have come from a 5.56-caliber long firearm at the crime scene.
The recovered evidence is being processed as part of the investigation and may help authorities determine the firearms used in the attack and identify the perpetrators.
As of the latest police report, no suspect had been identified or arrested in connection with the shooting.
Possible drug connection being investigated
Police have yet to establish a definite motive for the attack.
However, investigators are also looking into a possible connection to illegal drugs, after Lidasan’s wife reportedly told authorities that he had previously used illegal drugs.
The information remains an investigative lead and has not been established as the motive for the killing. Police have yet to confirm whether the shooting was drug-related or whether Lidasan’s reported past drug use had any connection to the attack.
Authorities continue to examine other possible motives as the investigation progresses.
Police tighten security amid election gun ban
Pahamuddin Acting Chief of Police PCpt. Rafael Bataan assured residents that police would continue to strengthen security measures in the area following the shooting.
The heightened security comes amid the implementation of the COMELEC gun ban in preparation for the 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
Bataan also appealed to residents and the public to cooperate with authorities and immediately report suspicious individuals, activities, or movements in their communities.
He said timely information from residents could help authorities respond quickly to potential threats and assist investigators in identifying those responsible for criminal activities.
The Pahamuddin Municipal Police Station continues to investigate the case, including the identities of the assailants, the motive behind the attack, and the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The case remains under investigation.