LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN — A 28-year-old man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while tending his mini-store in Barangay Malinis, Lamitan City, Basilan, early Monday morning, September 28, 2026, in an attack that has prompted an immediate police manhunt.
The victim was identified by police as Raihan Pascual Nahang, 28, single, and a resident of Barangay Malinis.
According to the initial police report, Nahang was attending to his mini-store at around 6:20 a.m. when unidentified male suspects aboard an unidentified motorcycle approached him.
The suspects reportedly fired several shots at close range before speeding away from the area in an unknown direction.
Nahang sustained multiple gunshot wounds to different parts of his body. He was immediately rushed to the Lamitan District Hospital for emergency medical treatment, but the attending physician declared him dead on arrival.
Police Launch Hot-Pursuit Operation
The Lamitan City Police Station received the shooting report at approximately 6:30 a.m., with responding personnel arriving at the crime scene about two minutes later, at around 6:32 a.m.
Police elements led by PCPT Jasfreel P. Acma, Deputy Chief of Police, under the supervision of PLTCOL Janz Vladimer G. Hilarion, Chief of Police, immediately initiated hot-pursuit and dragnet operations.
Personnel from RMFB 14B also joined the pursuit as authorities moved to track down the suspects who fled immediately after the shooting.
The Lamitan City police likewise coordinated with nearby PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines units to assist in locating and apprehending the gunmen.
Authorities have yet to announce any arrest or identify any person of interest in connection with the killing.
Police Recover Fired Cartridge Cases
Investigators processing the crime scene recovered two fired cartridge cases believed to be from a .45-caliber firearm, along with one deformed slug believed to be of the same caliber.
The recovered ballistic evidence has been placed under investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and potentially determine the firearm used in the attack.
As of the initial police report, the motive for the killing remains undetermined.
The identities of the gunmen also remain unknown. Police are continuing their investigation, including efforts to identify the suspects and establish the circumstances that led to the attack.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could help identify the perpetrators or clarify the circumstances of the shooting to coordinate with the police.
The case remains under investigation.