KADAYANGAN, Special Geographic Area (SGA)-BARMM — A barangay chairman was wounded after unidentified armed men opened fire on his residence Tuesday night, August 4, in Barangay Tugal, Kadayangan, Special Geographic Area (SGA)-BARMM, prompting an intensive investigation and manhunt by law enforcement authorities.
The victim was identified by PNP-BARMM spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit as Toks Pulalun, the Barangay Chairman of Tugal.
According to the initial police investigation, the attack occurred at around 8:15 p.m. when several armed men suddenly arrived at Pulalun’s residence and unleashed a volley of gunfire. The barangay official was struck by a bullet in his right elbow during the assault.
The gunmen immediately fled the scene in an unknown direction before responding authorities could intercept them.
Authorities noted that the shooting took place approximately 500 meters from the Kadayangan Municipal Police Station, raising concerns over the boldness of the perpetrators in carrying out the attack so close to a police facility.
Pulalun was immediately rushed to Midsayap Hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment. Police later confirmed that the barangay chairman is now in stable condition.
Investigators said there was no recorded confrontation or immediate provocation prior to the shooting. As a result, authorities are pursuing several possible angles as they work to establish the motive behind the attack.
Personnel from the Kadayangan Municipal Police Station immediately responded to the incident, secured the crime scene, and launched a preliminary investigation. The police also coordinated with the 33rd Infantry Battalion (3IB), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14A (RMFB-14A), and other law enforcement agencies to identify, locate, and arrest the suspects.
Authorities have yet to determine the identities of the attackers, and no group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
The Philippine National Police said the follow-up investigation remains ongoing as investigators continue to gather evidence, interview potential witnesses, and determine the motive behind the attack. A manhunt operation has also been launched to bring the perpetrators to justice.