DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after he was repeatedly shot by an unidentified gunman along the national highway in Sitio Tampat, Barangay Taviran, on Thursday night, November 20, 2025—another attack in the province amid a worrying rise in gun-related violence.
The victim, identified as Nurham Kasim Salanggao, a resident of Mother Tamontaka, Cotabato City, was riding a blue Honda Click 125 from Dalican on his way home when he was allegedly tailed by the suspect around 7:00 p.m., according to Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOSMPS) Chief PLTCOL Esmael A. Madin.
Upon reaching Sitio Tampat, the assailant opened fire, hitting Salanggao before fleeing toward an unknown direction.
A concerned resident called the police around 7:45 p.m. to report the shooting. Responding officers from DOSMPS found the victim critically injured and rushed him to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for urgent treatment.
Crime scene investigators recovered four fired cartridge cases, believed to have been used in the attack. Police have sought the assistance of the Regional Forensic Unit–BAR for further processing of the evidence, while a hot pursuit operation has been launched to track down the gunman.
Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting.
A Pattern of Violence
The attack adds to a string of violent gun-related incidents in Maguindanao del Norte and nearby areas, raising concerns among residents about safety on public roads and in communities. Local police units have repeatedly responded to similar cases in recent months, many involving motorcycle-riding suspects and victims ambushed along major routes.
Law enforcers acknowledge the growing pattern but say coordinated operations are underway to curb the incidents, including intensified patrols, intelligence monitoring, and quick-response deployments.
As of this writing, investigators are working to identify the suspect or suspects behind the latest attack, while Salanggao remains under close medical care.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to immediately coordinate with DOSMPS to help bring the perpetrator to justice.