ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 28-year-old man was shot dead in a brazen motorcycle ambush along Delos Santos Drive in Barangay Tugbungan, Zamboanga City, on Tuesday evening, in what authorities suspect to be a targeted attack linked to robbery.
The victim was identified as Alwadz D. Sabandal, a resident of Sumisip, Basilan. Initial investigation revealed that Sabandal was riding as a passenger on a black Honda XRM motorcycle traveling from Barangay Guiwan toward Tugbungan when two armed men aboard a white Honda Click motorcycle intercepted them.
Eyewitnesses reported that as both motorcycles approached Delos Santos Drive, the back rider of the Honda Click suddenly drew a firearm and opened fire on Sabandal. In a desperate bid to escape, the XRM driver accelerated toward the main road, but the gunmen pursued them.
During the chase, Sabandal lost balance and fell onto the road. The assailant then approached the fallen victim, grabbed his sling bag, and quickly fled toward Barangay Tugbungan on the same motorcycle.
Responding motorcycle cops reached the area shortly after the incident but found only one individual wearing a helmet without a motorcycle nearby. Witnesses described the suspects as both wearing full-face helmets and white T-shirts, while the gunman wore a cap, face mask, and shorts during the attack.
Sabandal succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. Authorities are conducting an intensive investigation to determine the identities of the suspects, with robbery considered the primary motive behind the attack.