DATU PAGLAS, Maguindanao del Sur — Two men were killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their motorcycle in Sitio Olonggapo, Barangay Poblacion, Datu Paglas, shortly after 2 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, in an attack that police believe may have involved suspects who had been following the victims.
The fatalities were identified as Akmad Matabalao Pendililang, 32, and Ali Mling, 24, both residents of Sitio Bago, Barangay Katil, in the same municipality.
Initial police investigation indicated that the two men were riding together aboard an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle without a license plate when they were suddenly fired upon by unidentified assailants reportedly trailing them on a Skygo motorcycle.
The attackers immediately fled the scene after the shooting, escaping aboard their motorcycle toward an undetermined direction.
One of the victims was rushed to a hospital for medical attention but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Both men eventually succumbed to their gunshot wounds.
Police recovered two spent bullet casings of undetermined caliber from the crime scene. Investigators are examining the recovered evidence as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify the weapon used.
The Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office said investigators have already identified a person of interest in connection with the shooting, known only by the alias “Boy.”
Authorities have yet to establish the motive behind the killings. However, investigators are pursuing leads to determine whether the attack was targeted and to establish the possible involvement of the identified person of interest.
The Datu Paglas Municipal Police Station is coordinating with concerned police and military units in an ongoing dragnet operation aimed at locating and arresting the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the motive, establish the full circumstances of the attack, and bring those responsible to justice.