COTABATO CITY — Two men were seriously wounded after they were shot by four armed suspects in a brazen daylight attack in Purok Bario Bagu, Mother Barangay Tamontaka on Wednesday morning, April 8, authorities reported.
The Cotabato City Police Office identified the victims as Tulon Guinta Abas, a self-employed resident of the area, and Yasser Latip Pinto, also a resident of the city. Both are of legal age.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victims were standing and conversing when four suspects suddenly approached them at around 10:20 a.m. The assailants, who arrived riding two motorcycles, immediately opened fire using an M16 rifle, hitting both victims multiple times in different parts of their bodies.
The victims sustained serious gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate medical treatment.
Authorities identified the suspects as Norodin Mama, Guiabar Polo, Camarudin Agid, and Sulaiman Polo. After carrying out the attack, the suspects quickly fled the scene toward the main road aboard their motorcycles.
Responding police units arrived shortly after the incident was reported at around 10:25 a.m., with personnel reaching the scene by 10:28 a.m. Investigators recovered two empty shell casings from an M16 rifle at the crime scene.
Police said a personal grudge is being considered as the primary motive behind the shooting.
A follow-up operation is ongoing, including the establishment of checkpoints and tightened border control measures in nearby areas to prevent the suspects’ escape and facilitate their arrest.
Authorities continue to conduct a full-scale investigation to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the swift apprehension of those responsible.