TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat — An innocent civilian who was caught in the middle of a police pursuit operation following a robbery incident in Tacurong City has died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, triggering public outrage and renewed calls for accountability and transparency from law enforcement authorities.
The victim was identified as Shayeed Mangelen Lim, fondly called “Shamsi” by his family and friends. According to initial police reports, Lim was merely driving his vehicle when he was allegedly struck by a bullet while police operatives were pursuing robbery suspects in the city on May 28, 2026.
Witnesses earlier reported seeing a bloodied man being pulled out from a vehicle following the exchange of gunfire, before authorities later confirmed that the victim was an uninvolved civilian who had been caught in the chaos of the operation.
The tragic incident has sparked widespread anger and grief among residents and netizens, with many demanding justice for Lim, who leaves behind his wife and two children.
Authorities identified the police personnel involved in the operation as Police Staff Sergeants Michael A. Daing and Albert D. Dela Cruz. Both officers have been placed under protective custody at the Tacurong City Police Station while investigations continue.
Their service firearms have already been confiscated and submitted for ballistic examination, while the involved personnel are also set to undergo paraffin testing to determine who may have fired the fatal shot.
In the wake of the incident, police authorities immediately ordered the administrative relief of the Tacurong City Police chief, while the operatives involved in the pursuit operation were restricted to the provincial headquarters pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Provincial Director personally visited the bereaved family to express condolences and provide immediate financial assistance.
In an official statement released by the family, they described Lim as an innocent civilian who was mistakenly hit by bullets intended for robbery suspects.
“Our family mourns the loss of Shayeed Mangelen Lim, more commonly known to his family and friends as ‘Shamsi,’” the family said.
“He was an innocent civilian who was mistakenly struck by bullets intended for suspects involved in a robbery incident.”
While acknowledging their faith and accepting what they described as the decree of Allah SWT, the family stressed that this does not prevent them from seeking accountability and justice for Lim’s death.
“Shamsi left behind his wife and two children, for whom he had been striving to provide a good life and better future,” the statement read.
The family appealed to authorities to conduct an “immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation” and ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
“We firmly believe that justice must be served not only to honor Shamsi’s memory, but also for the sake of the family he left behind,” the family added.
The fatal shooting incident came amid an intensified police operation launched after unidentified armed men ambushed and opened fire on a man riding a black Toyota Wigo in Zone 5, Purok Liwayway, Barangay San Pablo, Tacurong City at around noon on Thursday.
Initial reports stated that the victim in the ambush was traversing the boundary area of Barangays Tina and San Pablo when armed suspects suddenly attacked and repeatedly fired at the vehicle before fleeing.
Personnel from the Tacurong City Police Station, together with other Philippine National Police units and members of the Joint Task Force Talakudong, immediately launched hot pursuit operations against the fleeing gunmen.
Investigators also collected spent shell casings and reviewed CCTV footage from nearby establishments to identify the suspects and reconstruct the sequence of events.
However, the police operation later turned tragic after Lim, who was reportedly not connected to the robbery case or the armed suspects, was fatally hit during the pursuit.
The incident has intensified public concern over operational procedures during police responses in densely populated areas, with residents calling for greater caution to prevent civilians from becoming casualties during law enforcement operations.
As investigations continue, the public and the victim’s family continue to demand a fair, transparent, and credible probe to determine accountability and deliver justice for Shayeed “Shamsi” Lim.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” the family said as they appealed for prayers, patience, and strength amid their grief.