PAGALUNGAN, Maguindanao del Sur — May 1, 2026 — A breakthrough was swiftly achieved in the case of an unidentified woman found dead along the national highway in Barangay Población, after the suspect voluntarily surrendered to authorities less than 24 hours after the crime.
Police confirmed that the victim has been identified as Baidido Ebus, a resident of Pikit, North Cotabato. She was found lifeless on Friday morning with two gunshot wounds, which authorities said caused her immediate death. Initial investigations earlier indicated that the victim had been shot elsewhere and her body was merely dumped along the roadside in Pagalungan.
The suspect, identified as Maks Montera, admitted responsibility for the shooting and is now under the custody of the Pagalungan Municipal Police Station (MPS).
According to local officials, Montera surrendered to authorities and community leaders led by Pagalungan Peace and Order Council (PCL) President Datu Salik Mamasabulod, who played a key role in the suspect’s swift apprehension.
“Walang puwang ang kriminal sa bayan ng Pagalungan,” Mamasabulod declared, emphasizing the municipality’s firm stance against criminality.
Authorities revealed that the victim was with her husband, Aladin Usman, a fellow businessperson, during the attack. Usman survived the incident and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, while Ebus has already been laid to rest.
Mamasabulod said immediate action was taken following the incident, including coordinating with contacts across various barangays in Pikit, Pagalungan, and nearby municipalities in the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM), effectively preventing the suspect’s escape.
The operation to secure the suspect took place in Sitio Punol, Barangay Batulawan, Malidegao. It involved a joint effort by local leaders and law enforcement, including Pagalungan Administrator Zulkarnain Payag, Councilor Datu Edu Mamasabulod, Malidegao Councilors Sukarno “Toy” Mamasabulod and Ronie Abel, among others.
The arrest was led by the Pagalungan MPS under the supervision of PLT. Noel Tulbanos.
With the suspect’s admission, authorities have declared the case “solved,” though further investigation and legal proceedings are expected to follow.
Pagalungan Mayor Datu Abdilah “Ab’s” Mamasabulod and Vice Mayor Datu Mohamiden Mamasabulod urged residents to remain vigilant and to continue reporting suspicious individuals to authorities.
Despite the incident, local officials reiterated that peace and order in the municipality remain stable, stressing that the swift resolution of the case demonstrates the effectiveness of coordination between the community and law enforcement.
The police are now preparing the necessary charges against the suspect as they continue to build a solid case for prosecution.