DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao del Sur — A 51-year-old police officer narrowly escaped death after he was ambushed and shot by unidentified gunmen while on his way home from duty on Tuesday evening, June 9, in Barangay Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
The victim was identified as Police Staff Sergeant (PSSg.) Samsudin Utto Abdullah, a married police officer assigned to the Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Police Station and a resident of Barangay Salbu.
According to the initial police investigation, the attack occurred at around 8:10 p.m. along the provincial road in Sitio Lower Salbu, shortly after Abdullah completed his checkpoint duty from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Abdullah was reportedly driving his white Toyota Avanza and heading home when armed suspects suddenly opened fire on his vehicle. The gunmen, whose identities remain unknown, fled immediately after carrying out the attack.
Despite the ambush, Abdullah survived but sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm. The driver’s side of his vehicle also suffered damage from the gunfire.
PNP-BARMM spokesperson Steffi Salanguit confirmed the incident and said the wounded officer was immediately rushed to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Maguindanao Hospital for medical treatment.
Personnel from the Datu Saudi Ampatuan Municipal Police Station, led by Mohamad U. Ali, responded swiftly to the scene and facilitated the victim’s transfer to the hospital.
Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting. Investigators are currently exploring all possible angles, including whether the attack was connected to Abdullah’s duties as a law enforcement officer.
Following the incident, police operatives launched a hot pursuit operation and conducted a thorough crime scene investigation to identify and track down the perpetrators.
The ambush highlights the continuing risks faced by law enforcement personnel in parts of the Bangsamoro region, where police officers remain vulnerable to targeted attacks while carrying out their duties.
As of Wednesday, investigators remained without a clear motive, while efforts continue to establish the identities of the suspects and bring them to justice.
The PNP has urged anyone with information that could help identify the attackers to coordinate with authorities as the investigation progresses.