SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao del Norte — A farmer was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while traveling aboard a tricycle in Barangay Balut, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on Thursday morning, November 12.
Police identified the victim as Tong Lumabao, a resident of the same barangay. He sustained fatal gunshot wounds after being attacked at approximately 7:40 a.m. while reportedly heading toward the highway.
Initial police investigation showed that Lumabao was riding a tricycle when the unidentified assailant approached him and opened fire. The attacker immediately fled on a motorcycle, escaping toward Barangay Bongabong.
Responding police officers recovered five spent cartridge casings believed to have come from a .45-caliber firearm at the crime scene. The recovered evidence is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Following the shooting, the victim’s family took his remains home to observe the necessary funeral rites in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Police have launched a hot pursuit operation to track down and arrest the gunman. Investigators are also working to determine the motive behind the attack, including whether the killing was linked to a personal dispute or other circumstances.
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The identity of the assailant and the motive for the shooting remain undetermined as of the initial police report.
Authorities have yet to disclose further details about possible witnesses or leads that could help establish the circumstances behind the fatal attack.