BANGA, SOUTH COTABATO — A 42-year-old man was shot dead by armed assailants riding in tandem on a motorcycle on the evening of Saturday, October 25, 2025, in Barangay El Nonok, Banga, South Cotabato.
The victim was identified as Andy Palencia Sorongon, a resident of Purok Katipunan, Barangay Reyes, in the same town. Based on the initial investigation by the Banga Municipal Police Station (MPS), Sorongon was reportedly on his motorcycle to buy lechon manok when he was ambushed by two unidentified gunmen riding a black scooter-type motorcycle along the highway at Purok Riverside, El Nonok.
Witnesses said they heard three successive gunshots around 7:00 p.m., followed by the sight of Sorongon’s motorcycle lying on the road and his body sprawled nearby. The suspects quickly fled the scene after the attack, heading toward an undetermined direction.
Responding police and barangay officials found Sorongon lifeless with multiple gunshot wounds to the body, reportedly caused by a .45 caliber pistol. Investigators recovered two spent shells and one live round from the crime scene.
According to Police Lieutenant Adelyn Lazaga, Officer-in-Charge of Banga MPS, the victim sustained three bullet wounds that led to his instant death. His remains were later brought to the Southern Funeral Parlor in Barangay Reyes for post-mortem examination.
Authorities are now coordinating with local residents and reviewing possible CCTV footage in the area to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the attack.
Police assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to bring justice to Sorongon’s death.