PAGLAT, Maguindanao del Sur — Two men were killed after being shot several times by two unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle in Barangay Campo, Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur, shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Police identified the victims as Ebrahim A. Mamalinta, a resident of General Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP), and Marquez Mamalinta, a resident of Pandag, both in Maguindanao del Sur.
Initial information from the Paglat Municipal Police Station showed that the victims were traveling along the highway toward GSKP aboard a black Racal motorcycle when they were allegedly followed by two men riding a black Bajaj motorcycle.
Upon reaching the area in Barangay Campo, the suspects reportedly opened fire on the victims using a still-unidentified firearm.
The gunmen then fled toward the direction of GSKP Municipality immediately after the shooting.
Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds to different parts of their bodies and died as a result of the attack.
Authorities recovered four spent bullet casings at the crime scene, although the specific firearm caliber has yet to be determined. Investigators also recovered the victims’ black Racal motorcycle and a brown wallet containing various identification cards.
The shooting prompted an immediate police response, with personnel of the Paglat MPS securing the area and conducting initial investigation. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) subsequently processed the crime scene for possible evidence that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The Paglat police also coordinated with neighboring police stations and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel as authorities continued efforts to identify and possibly intercept the fleeing suspects.
Police have yet to establish the identities of the gunmen or determine the motive behind the attack.
PNP-BARMM spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit confirmed the identities of the two fatalities and said authorities were continuing their investigation into the shooting.
The incident has raised renewed concern over armed attacks along local roads in parts of Maguindanao del Sur, although authorities have not yet linked the shooting to any particular group or ongoing conflict.
The bodies of the victims were turned over to their relatives for the observance of Islamic/Muslim burial rites.
Investigators are expected to review available information and pursue leads that could establish the identities of the attackers, determine their route of escape and uncover the motive behind the killings.
Authorities urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to coordinate with the nearest police station.