SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao del Norte — A man was rushed to a hospital after being shot twice in the back by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Tambo, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on the morning of August 27, 2026, amid the implementation of a strict gun ban in the Bangsamoro region.
The victim was identified as Abdul Kabir, an adult and reportedly a Tausug. Initial reports contained conflicting information regarding his place of residence, with one account identifying him as a resident of Barangay Polloc, Parang, while another placed him in Sitio Kabingaan, Barangay Bolliok, Sultan Mastura. Authorities have yet to clarify the discrepancy.
According to preliminary information, Kabir was walking or was otherwise present in the area when an unidentified assailant opened fire, striking him twice in the rear portion of his body.
Despite sustaining the gunshot wounds, Kabir was reportedly conscious and still able to communicate after the attack.
Personnel of the Sultan Mastura Municipal Police Station immediately assisted in bringing him to a hospital for medical treatment. His latest medical condition was not immediately available.
The gunman, meanwhile, reportedly fled the area immediately after the shooting and escaped toward an undisclosed direction.
Shooting Occurs Amid Strict Regional Gun Ban
The shooting is particularly significant because it occurred while a strict gun ban was in effect across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The presence of an armed assailant and the use of a firearm in a public setting during the period of heightened firearms restrictions are expected to be among the circumstances that authorities will examine as part of the investigation.
However, whether the gunman actually violated the gun ban, and what specific firearm-related laws or regulations may apply, will depend on the findings of law enforcement and the circumstances under which the firearm was possessed and used.
The gun ban is intended to restrict the carrying and use of firearms during the designated period to help prevent violence and maintain peace and order, particularly amid heightened security concerns in the region.
Motive, Identity of Gunman Still Unknown
As of the latest available information, police have not yet identified the shooter, and the motive for the attack remains unknown.
Investigators are expected to determine whether the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute, a prior confrontation, a security-related incident, or another motive. Statements from Kabir, once his condition allows, as well as accounts from witnesses and other persons who may have information about the incident could prove crucial in identifying the assailant.
Police are also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the firearm used in the attack, including how the suspect came into possession of the weapon despite the ongoing gun restrictions.
The shooting adds to concerns over the continued use of firearms in violent incidents even during periods when authorities impose heightened restrictions on the carrying of guns.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could help identify the gunman to coordinate with the police and provide relevant information that may assist the investigation.
For now, the case remains under active investigation, with police working to establish the identity of the suspect, motive, circumstances of the shooting, and possible firearm-related violations arising from the incident.
This report is based on preliminary information available as of August 27, 2026. Details—including the victim’s residence, medical condition, circumstances of the shooting, and the identity of the suspect—may still be clarified, updated, or changed as the investigation progresses.