Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte — A 53-year-old farmer from Banisilan, North Cotabato, was killed in a shooting incident along the national highway in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Monday morning, October 12, 2026. His wife, who was riding with him on a motorcycle, survived the attack.
The victim was identified as Sammy Juan, a resident of Barangay Wadya, Banisilan, North Cotabato. He was reportedly driving a Bajaj motorcycle bearing plate number M264BK when he and his wife were shot by still-unidentified assailants.
According to the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, authorities received a report of the shooting at around 10:10 to 10:15 a.m. on Monday and immediately dispatched responding personnel to the scene.
Upon arrival, police found Juan lying on the road with what appeared to be significant blood loss. He was rushed to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for emergency medical treatment. However, despite efforts to save him, he was later reported dead.
His wife, who was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle, survived the incident. Further details about her condition were not immediately available.
The suspects fled after the shooting, leaving authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. Police recovered four spent cartridge cases at the scene, which may help investigators establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.
Authorities have launched a hot pursuit operation to track down and arrest the suspects. Investigators are also expected to establish the motive behind the shooting and determine whether the victim had received any threats prior to the incident.
As the investigation continues, police are working to gather additional information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
The incident adds to concerns over armed attacks along major roads in parts of Mindanao, where authorities continue to pursue efforts to protect motorists and other road users. Police have yet to release further details regarding the identities of the suspects or the possible motive for the killing.