SIOCON, Zamboanga del Norte — Three people were killed in two separate shooting incidents in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, on September 9, 2026, including two male farmers who were allegedly ambushed while riding a motorcycle in Barangay Siay and a 36-year-old man who was shot several times in Barangay S. Arabi.
The two incidents occurred hours apart, prompting the Siocon Municipal Police Station (MPS), with the support of the 2nd Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd ZNPMFC), to launch pursuit, checkpoint and dragnet operations in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Two farmers killed in Barangay Siay
The first shooting occurred at around 7:45 a.m. in Barangay Siay, where two male farmers were allegedly waylaid by two unidentified armed men while they were traveling on a motorcycle.
According to the Siocon MPS, the victims were both of legal age and residents of Barangay Makiang. Police initially identified them by the aliases “Aryo” and “Benny.”
Investigators said the victims were traveling from the interior portion of Barangay Siay when two unidentified men aboard a red Skygo motorcycle, reportedly without a licensed plate, allegedly approached and fired several shots at them.
The gunmen then fled toward Barangay Pisawak, police said.
Responding police officers found the two victims along the roadside suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Constantino Soriano Sr. District Hospital in Manaol, Siocon, but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Scene-of-the-crime investigators recovered 20 fired cartridge cases believed to have been fired from a caliber .45 firearm.
Police also recovered a caliber .45 pistol loaded with eight live rounds from one of the victims during crime scene processing. Authorities have not indicated in the available statements whether the firearm was lawfully possessed or whether it was used in the incident, and the circumstances surrounding its recovery remain part of the investigation.
Following the shooting, the Siocon MPS and 2nd ZNPMFC established checkpoints in strategic areas, including Pangian and Barangay M. Francisco, while pursuing possible escape routes used by the suspects.
Police investigators and intelligence personnel were likewise coordinating with residents and nearby establishments to obtain possible CCTV footage that could help identify the gunmen and determine their direction of escape.
Police examining possible motive
Police said the motive in the Barangay Siay shooting remains under investigation.
An initial police assessment was reportedly looking into the possibility of a personal conflict or grudge involving one of the victims. Investigators were also verifying information concerning a reported land dispute allegedly involving one of the victims.
The police have not established that either angle was the definitive motive, and further verification is being conducted.
One of the victims, identified by police as “Aryo,” was also reportedly among individuals who surrendered to authorities on January 23, 2026, after previously being listed as a member of a delisted communist group allegedly linked to the Labain Group, which had operated in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The information forms part of the ongoing background investigation and does not, by itself, establish a connection between the victim’s reported past affiliation and the September 9 shooting.
Another man killed in Barangay S. Arabi
Hours later, at around 5 p.m., another shooting was reported in Barangay S. Arabi, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old man from Sitio Lower Logpond, Barangay Poblacion, Siocon.
The Siocon MPS said the victim was walking toward Barangay Poblacion when he was allegedly shot several times by a 48-year-old male suspect.
Police said the suspect immediately fled aboard a motorcycle toward Barangay Bucana.
The victim was transported to Constantino Soriano Sr. District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Four fired cartridge cases believed to have come from a caliber .45 firearm were recovered at the scene.
Police initially considered personal conflict or a grudge as a possible motive in the second shooting. Investigators are also looking into information concerning the relationship between the victim and a woman reportedly connected to the suspect.
The available police information indicates that the suspect was allegedly the woman’s former husband, while the victim was reportedly her current live-in partner. This relationship angle, however, remains part of the preliminary investigation and has not been established by a final police finding as the motive for the killing.
Pursuit operations continue
Immediately after the Barangay S. Arabi shooting, personnel of the Siocon MPS, in coordination with the 2nd ZNPMFC, conducted pursuit, checkpoint and dragnet operations for the possible apprehension of the suspect.
Police said all available leads are being pursued to establish the circumstances of both shootings, identify those responsible and determine whether there are connections between the incidents.
As of the latest police statements, no arrest had been reported in connection with either shooting.
The Siocon MPS appealed to residents and business establishments with information, photographs or CCTV footage related to the incidents to coordinate with the nearest police station.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
The Siocon MPS may be reached through its hotline at 0935-289-6878.