COTABATO CITY — A 26-year-old woman was killed after being shot multiple times by still unidentified gunmen on Friday night, May 29, 2026, along Datu Udtog Matalam Street in Barangay Rosary Heights 11 (RH-11), Cotabato City.
The victim was identified as Mia Manseñarez, also known by the alias “Maya,” a temporary resident of RH-11 San Pablo, Cotabato City, and a native of Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Based on the report from the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), authorities received a call from the Primera Police Volunteer Post at around 8:05 p.m. regarding the shooting incident.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victim was inside a store when two armed men suddenly approached and opened fire at close range.
Manseñarez sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of her body, including the left side of her chest, right leg, left rib area, lower abdomen, and left shoulder.
Despite efforts to save her life, responders and relatives rushed the victim to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center for emergency treatment, but attending physicians declared her dead on arrival.
Police said two male suspects were involved in the attack and were riding a black-and-orange Honda Click motorcycle with an unidentified plate number.
Witnesses told investigators that the motorcycle driver was wearing a black jacket, while the alleged gunman was clad in gray clothing.
Authorities recovered four empty shell casings at the crime scene believed to have come from a caliber .45 pistol.
Immediately after the incident, law enforcers launched lockdown and hot pursuit operations in an attempt to track down and arrest the suspects.
The Regional Forensic Unit-BAR was also requested to process the crime scene and gather additional evidence that may help identify the perpetrators.
Investigators are currently looking into several possible motives behind the killing, including personal grudge and a possible love triangle angle.
Police Station 2 and other law enforcement units continue conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack and establish the identities of those responsible.
The fatal shooting further raised alarm among residents as authorities intensified efforts to prevent similar violent incidents in the city.