A 30-year-old man was wounded after unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on his vehicle while he was traveling with his family along the National Highway in Barangay Layog, Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, at around 6:59 p.m. on Saturday, September 26.
The victim was identified by Pagalungan Municipal Police Station chief Police Major Michael Ameril as Jeffrey Dimasingkil Ayunan Jr., also known as “Bebe Dhats,” a married resident of Pagalungan.
According to initial reports, Ayunan was traveling from Kabacan, Cotabato, aboard a white multicab with his wife and children when two unidentified suspects riding a motorcycle approached their vehicle near Tunggol Bridge in Barangay Layog.
The suspects reportedly drew their firearms and shot at the multicab, hitting Ayunan in the body. The attack occurred while his family was with him inside the vehicle, raising concerns over the safety of civilians traveling along the highway.
Ayunan was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. His condition has not been disclosed in the initial reports.
The Pagalungan police have launched an investigation into the shooting, working alongside Philippine Army personnel stationed in the area to identify the suspects, establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, and determine the possible motive.
Authorities have yet to establish whether the victim was specifically targeted or whether the shooting was connected to any existing personal or local dispute.
The incident adds to security concerns along major roads in parts of Maguindanao del Sur, where identifying perpetrators and determining the motives behind armed attacks remain important aspects of maintaining public safety.
Police are continuing their investigation as authorities work to establish the identities of the motorcycle-riding suspects and gather further information about the incident.