PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities arrested one of the suspects allegedly involved in the shooting of a motorcycle rider following a hot pursuit operation shortly after the incident along the road between Barangays Pedtubo and San Jose on the evening of October 6, 2026.
The victim was identified as Keer Sansaluna Masdal, who was reportedly traveling aboard his black Kawasaki Bajaj CT100 motorcycle toward Purok Islam in Barangay San Jose when he was allegedly followed by another motorcycle carrying two men.
Police said the suspects opened fire on Masdal using a firearm of still undetermined caliber. The shooting left the rider with gunshot wounds to various parts of his body.
The circumstances and motive behind the attack remain under investigation. Authorities said there was no clear provocation immediately identified that could explain why the victim was targeted.
Following the shooting, Masdal was rushed to Buluan District Hospital for emergency medical treatment. At around 11:20 p.m., the President Quirino Police Station received a call from the hospital informing authorities that the victim had been brought there for medical attention.
The report immediately prompted police personnel to launch a hot pursuit operation, with the President Quirino Police Station working with the 1st Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st SKPMFC).
The operation resulted in the arrest of one of the alleged perpetrators.
Authorities also recovered one fired cartridge case believed to be connected to the shooting, as well as the motorcycles reportedly involved in the incident.
The recovery of the physical evidence is expected to form part of the case that authorities are preparing against the arrested suspect. Investigators are continuing to establish the identities and individual roles of those involved in the attack.
The arrested suspect remains under police custody pending the appropriate legal proceedings and the filing of charges.
Meanwhile, Masdal remains under medical care and is reportedly recovering from his injuries.
Police authorities are also continuing their pursuit of the remaining suspect, who allegedly acted as the companion or backrider during the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to determine the motive, identify the firearm used in the shooting, and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
Authorities urged anyone with information that could help identify or locate the remaining suspect to coordinate with the nearest police station.