COTABATO CITY — A woman and a habal-habal driver were wounded after two unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects allegedly shot them during a robbery in Clemente Aliño Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 2, Cotabato City, at around 3:10 p.m. on September 4, 2026.
Based on the initial report of the Cotabato City Police Office, the victims had just come from a bank and were traveling on a motorcycle when they were allegedly followed by two suspects riding in tandem.
The suspects reportedly intercepted the victims and forcibly took a sling bag containing approximately ₱134,894 in cash.
Police said the female victim, initially identified only by the alias “Lovely,” reportedly resisted the robbery. One of the suspects then shot her in the left cheek.
The motorcycle driver accompanying her was also hit by a bullet in the lower portion of his right neck.
Both victims sustained gunshot wounds and were immediately transported to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Investigators recovered spent ammunition casings from the crime scene and said the evidence indicates that a .45-caliber firearm was possibly used in the shooting.
After taking the money, the suspects reportedly fled on their motorcycle toward Notre Dame Avenue.
Authorities immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to locate and identify the fleeing suspects. Police are also gathering and reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from establishments and areas surrounding the crime scene in an effort to establish the suspects’ identities and track their escape route.
The area was secured by responding authorities as the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team continued processing the scene and documenting evidence that could assist in the investigation.
Police have yet to establish the identities of the two suspects, while the identity of the male victim was also still being determined as of the initial report.
Shooting occurred amid gun ban
The shooting also occurred while a gun ban remains in effect in the region, underscoring continuing concerns over the use of firearms in criminal incidents despite restrictions on the carrying and use of guns.
Authorities are expected to determine whether the firearm used in the shooting was legally registered and possessed, and whether additional violations may be established as the investigation progresses.
The incident remains under investigation. Police are expected to examine CCTV recordings, recovered ballistic evidence and information from witnesses and the victims as investigators work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the robbery and shooting.