DATU PIANG, Maguindanao del Sur — A barangay councilor was wounded after an unidentified armed assailant opened fire on him while he was driving a multicab in Barangay Balanaken, Datu Piang, at around 10:40 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Police identified the victim as Abdul Manab Guialodin, a barangay kagawad of Barangay Liong and a resident of the same locality.
Based on the initial investigation of the Datu Piang Municipal Police Station, Guialodin was driving his multicab toward Barangay Poblacion when the attack occurred upon reaching Barangay Balanaken.
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that the gunman had positioned himself behind a coconut tree, apparently waiting for the victim to pass. The assailant then opened fire on Guialodin before fleeing the area.
The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his left arm and the left side of his back. He was immediately rushed to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Maguindanao for medical treatment.
As of the latest police report, Guialodin was in stable condition.
Responding police personnel recovered five spent cartridge cases at the crime scene. The type of firearm used in the attack has yet to be established.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have launched a manhunt operation to identify and apprehend the gunman.
The motive behind the shooting remains undetermined. Police have yet to establish whether the attack was related to the victim’s position as a barangay official or stemmed from a personal dispute or other circumstances.
Investigators are expected to examine witness accounts and available evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine the identity of the perpetrator.
The incident raises renewed concerns over the safety of local government officials and residents amid armed attacks in communities. However, authorities have not yet released any findings that would establish a specific motive or identify those responsible.