DATU ANGGAL MIDTIMBANG, Maguindanao del Sur — A lending company collector was wounded while his companion escaped unharmed after unidentified armed men ambushed and opened fire on them in broad daylight in Sitio Ataw, Barangay Tulunan, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur, on Thursday noon, October 29, 2026.
The wounded victim was identified as Shariff S. Pilandok, 38, while his companion, Jhon Mark Napuli, 30, survived the attack without sustaining any injuries. Both men were reportedly working as collectors for a lending company.
Based on the initial police report, the two collectors were traveling on a motorcycle and passing through Sitio Ataw shortly after noon when unidentified suspects suddenly blocked their path and fired at them.
The sudden attack left Pilandok wounded, while Napuli managed to escape without injury. The available police report did not immediately specify the extent of Pilandok’s injuries or whether he had been taken to a medical facility.
Responding authorities recovered four spent cartridge cases believed to have come from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene. The recovered ballistic evidence is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
The Datu Anggal Midtimbang Municipal Police Station is conducting a follow-up investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the ambush, identify the perpetrators, and determine their motive.
Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the suspects or establish whether the attack was connected to the victims’ work as lending company collectors.
The incident raises concerns over the safety of workers who regularly travel to different communities for collection activities, although investigators have not yet established whether the victims were specifically targeted because of their occupation.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify and locate those responsible for the attack.