DATU PAGLAS, Maguindanao del Sur — A 44-year-old woman was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Purok Dumagui, Barangay Sepaka, in what authorities describe as another alarming act of violence in the area.
The victim was identified as Sarah Kalid Salibo, a resident of Barangay Buliok in Pikit, North Cotabato. Police said she was declared dead on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, particularly to the head and other parts of her body.
Initial investigation by the Datu Paglas Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed that the incident occurred at around 12:45 p.m. while the victim was riding a black Bajaj motorcycle and was reportedly on her way to Barangay Malala.
Authorities are currently pursuing multiple angles regarding the manner of attack. In one account, the gunman may have been the driver of the motorcycle who suddenly shot the victim at close range before fleeing toward the eastern direction. Another version suggests that the victim was ambushed by two armed suspects riding a separate motorcycle, who approached and opened fire before escaping.
Further complicating the case, police recovered several sachets of suspected shabu from the victim’s bag during a post-incident inspection. Investigators are now looking into the possibility that illegal drugs may have played a role in the killing, although this has yet to be confirmed.
The incident was reported to authorities at around 12:55 p.m., prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Police Captain Lucky Seigfred R. Sibayan, officer-in-charge of the Datu Paglas MPS, led coordination efforts with barangay officials and other security units.
A dragnet and hot pursuit operation has since been launched in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to track down the suspect or suspects. Police have also secured the crime scene and are continuing to gather evidence to aid in the investigation.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact motive behind the killing, with both personal conflict and a possible planned attack being considered.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is urging anyone with information that could help identify the perpetrators or shed light on the incident to come forward and report to the nearest police station.