PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat — Two Moro men were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a residential area in Barangay San Jose, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, on Saturday morning, August 8, 2026, in a shooting that has prompted a police investigation and a hot pursuit operation.
The victims were identified as Mohamad Akmad Utap, an adult farmer and resident of Barangay Pedtubo, and Rohamin Mangansakan Bombolen, an adult tricycle driver and resident of Barangay San Jose.
Police and local officials said the two men were walking through a residential area in Purok Islam at around 6:20 a.m. when armed men suddenly opened fire at them.
The assailants reportedly used pistols and quickly fled the area after the attack, leaving the two victims critically wounded.
Utap and Bombolen sustained multiple gunshot wounds to different parts of their bodies. Both victims died at the scene from the injuries they suffered in the shooting.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, and authorities have yet to establish a definite motive.
Following the incident, personnel of the President Quirino Municipal Police Station immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to locate and identify the perpetrators.
Police are also coordinating with barangay officials and other local authorities as investigators work to establish the identities of the gunmen, determine their possible motive, and reconstruct the circumstances leading to the attack.
Local officials said barangay authorities in San Jose are assisting police in gathering information that could help identify the perpetrators and determine whether the victims were specifically targeted.
As of the latest reports, no suspect had been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the double killing.
Police condemn shooting
The President Quirino Municipal Police Station strongly condemned the shooting, stressing that violence has no place in the community.
In a statement, police appealed to residents to remain calm while encouraging them to cooperate with authorities and provide any information that could help investigators solve the case.
“Violence has no place in our community,” the police said, urging the public to help maintain peace, safety and justice.
Authorities also appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or have information regarding the identities or whereabouts of the suspects to coordinate with the police.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the motive behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
The double shooting adds to continuing security concerns in parts of Sultan Kudarat, where authorities have repeatedly emphasized the need for community cooperation and timely reporting of information to prevent violence and help resolve criminal cases.