DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Two women were wounded after an unidentified gunman opened fire along the Main Road of SPDA Village in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday morning, August 21, 2026.
The incident, which occurred at around 8:30 a.m., left 68-year-old Tarhata Samad, a housewife and senior citizen, wounded after she was hit by a stray bullet while inside a restaurant or cafeteria. The other victim was identified as 47-year-old Suraya B. Ali, a businesswoman who was reportedly seated outside the establishment when the gunman suddenly fired at her.
Initial information from authorities indicated that the gunman targeted Ali, who was sitting outside the restaurant. During the shooting, Samad, who was inside the establishment, was struck by a stray bullet.
Both victims were immediately rushed to separate medical facilities for emergency treatment. Samad was reportedly assisted by a Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) member and bystanders, who used a barangay vehicle to bring her to the hospital.
Authorities recovered four fired cartridge cases believed to be from a .45-caliber firearm, along with a deformed slug, from the crime scene. The ballistic evidence was secured as part of the ongoing investigation.
The gunman fled the area immediately after the shooting and remains unidentified. Police have launched a hot-pursuit operation in an effort to determine the suspect’s identity, establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and possibly make an arrest.
The motive for the shooting has yet to be established. Investigators are also continuing to gather information and examine possible leads that could shed light on whether the attack was targeted and why Ali was allegedly fired upon.
Another Gun-Related Incident Amid Election Gun Ban
The shooting adds to a troubling string of gun-related incidents reported in parts of the region despite the ongoing implementation of the election gun ban.
The continued occurrence of armed attacks during the period when restrictions on the carrying and use of firearms are being strictly enforced raises renewed concerns over the presence and accessibility of loose firearms and the ability of armed individuals to evade existing security measures.
Authorities have repeatedly called on the public to cooperate with law enforcement and immediately report suspicious individuals, illegal firearms and other information that could help prevent further gun-related violence.
For now, police are focused on identifying and locating the shooter while determining the circumstances and motive behind the attack. The victims’ conditions were not immediately available in the initial reports.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further information as verified details become available.