MATALAM, Cotabato — A retired Army colonel was wounded after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in a brazen ambush at midday on Friday, February 6, 2026, along Kidama Road near the boundary of Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Kidama in this town.
Police identified the victim as Retired Colonel Leonardo Songcaya, the legal president of the Federation of Senior Citizens of Matalam, Cotabato. At the time of the attack, he was reportedly alone and driving a silver-gray Nissan Navarra pick-up truck.
According to initial police reports, the victim was traveling along Kalye Putol in Barangay Poblacion when armed assailants suddenly fired multiple rounds at his vehicle. The pick-up truck was riddled with bullet holes, indicating the intensity of the attack.
Residents in the area said they heard successive gunshots, prompting them to seek cover and alert authorities. The attackers immediately fled after the shooting, heading in an unknown direction.
Col. Songcaya sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. As of this writing, authorities have yet to release an official update on his condition.
Personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) promptly responded to the scene and secured the area. Crime scene investigators recovered several spent shell casings and documented the damaged vehicle as part of the ongoing forensic examination.
Police said they are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and identify the suspects. Authorities are also looking into possible personal, professional, or security-related angles, given the victim’s background as a former military officer and community leader.
“This incident is being treated as a serious case of ambush. We are pursuing all possible leads and reviewing available CCTV footage in the area,” a police official said.
The PNP has appealed to the public for cooperation, urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station.
The shooting marks another case of daylight violence in North Cotabato, raising concerns among residents over public safety. Local officials have called for heightened police visibility and stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents.
Authorities assured the public that intensified patrols and checkpoints will be implemented as the investigation continues.