A married couple, both senior citizens, were shot dead in an ambush by unidentified armed men while traveling home on a motorcycle in Barangay Panubigan, Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur, on Tuesday evening, November 10, 2026.
The victims were identified as Danny Sedeño, 61, reportedly a member of the Bantay Dagat, and his 62-year-old wife, Margie Sedeño. Both were residents of the same municipality.
Initial investigation by the Pitogo Municipal Police Station showed that the couple was riding a Honda XRM 125 motorcycle and heading home when armed suspects suddenly opened fire on them at around 7:40 p.m. in Purok 7, Barangay Panubigan.
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The attack reportedly took place in a dark and relatively secluded area surrounded by banana plantations, approximately 100 meters from the national highway. Investigators said the assailants had allegedly concealed themselves in vegetation and banana-growing areas before launching the attack.
The couple sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their heads and bodies. The municipality’s health officer subsequently confirmed that both victims had died from their injuries.
A local purok official, identified in a radio interview as Josie Pila, reportedly said residents heard several successive gunshots that prompted them to investigate. When they reached the area, they found the couple already lifeless.
Initial reports indicated that the suspects may have used an M16 rifle, although authorities have yet to officially establish the firearm used in the attack. The assailants reportedly fled aboard a motorcycle toward Barangay Matin-ao immediately after the shooting.
The motive behind the killings remains undetermined, while the identities of the perpetrators have yet to be established. Authorities have not confirmed reports suggesting a possible personal motive, and investigators are pursuing all possible angles to determine what led to the attack.
In a statement, the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) strongly condemned the shooting, describing it as a senseless act of violence that has no place in local communities.
The provincial police office said the investigation is ongoing and that all possible leads are being pursued to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings and identify those responsible.
Joint teams from the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have launched follow-up operations to track down and apprehend the suspects.
Police are also appealing to residents who may have witnessed the incident or possess information that could help identify the perpetrators to coordinate with the nearest police station.
The killings have raised concerns over the safety of residents traveling along isolated roads, particularly at night. Authorities said they remain committed to pursuing justice for the victims and holding those responsible accountable under the law.