COTABATO CITY — Three people were killed and at least 15 others were wounded after a confrontation between two groups of supporters escalated into a fistfight and gunfire near Datu Usman Mampen Elementary School in Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City, shortly before midnight on Sunday, September 13, hours before the historic first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
The shooting reportedly occurred at around 11:40 p.m. on September 13, with multiple gunshots sending residents and people gathered near the school into panic.
Authorities confirmed three fatalities. One of the victims was identified as 88-year-old Edar Kasan Andog, a resident of Purok Tulingan, Barangay Bagua 2. The two other fatalities were men whose identities had not yet been established as of the latest report.
Fifteen other individuals were also wounded and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Among those injured was Cotabato City Councilor Marouf “Pabo” Pasawiran, according to authorities.
Dispute over queue reportedly triggered confrontation
According to the initial police investigation, several groups of people had gathered at the school ahead of the September 14 parliamentary elections, with some reportedly lining up early in anticipation of the voting activities.
Cotabato City Police Chief Col. Jibin Bongcayao said the trouble reportedly began with a dispute involving the queue among supporters.
The disagreement allegedly escalated as members of the two groups confronted one another, eventually leading to a fistfight before gunfire erupted.
Authorities have stressed that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Police recovered several spent bullet casings from the crime scene, with initial assessment indicating that .45-caliber and 9mm firearms may have been used.
Investigators are working to establish the sequence of events, identify the gunmen and determine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
Heavy security response
Personnel from the Cotabato City Police Office, together with forces from Police Regional Office 12, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-A, Cotabato Mobile Force Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 6, 4th Special Action Battalion and the Special Action Force, immediately responded to the incident.
The wounded victims were transported to nearby medical facilities as security forces secured the area and began processing the crime scene.
Authorities are also working to establish the identities of the two unidentified fatalities and document the identities and conditions of the 15 wounded individuals.
Gunfire hours before historic BARMM election
The incident occurred only hours before voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were scheduled to participate in the region’s first parliamentary elections on September 14.
The election has prompted heightened security preparations across the Bangsamoro region, with police, military and other security forces deployed to election areas to help maintain peace and order.
The shooting in Bagua 2 has consequently raised fresh security concerns as authorities work to prevent further violence and ensure the orderly conduct of voting activities.
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine who was responsible for the shooting and whether the incident was solely the result of the reported dispute or involved other factors.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as the investigation progresses.