DAVAO CITY (September 7) — Police launched a manhunt for two gunmen who shot dead two brothers in Barangay Campo, Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur, on Monday afternoon, September 7, as authorities continue to enforce the election gun ban in the Bangsamoro region.
“Manhunt is ongoing. We sought the help of the military in the area,” said Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM).
Salanguit identified the fatalities as Ebrahim Mamalinta, about 35, a resident of General S.K. Pendatun, and his brother, Marquez Mamalinta of Pandag, both in Maguindanao del Sur.
According to Salanguit, the brothers were riding together on a motorcycle at about 1 p.m. when two gunmen, also riding tandem on a separate motorcycle, opened fire at them in Barangay Campo.
The suspects immediately fled toward General S.K. Pendatun, prompting Paglat police to pursue them. Responding police officers found the two victims lying beside the highway when they arrived at the scene.
Police recovered the victims’ motorcycle, four empty shells of unidentified caliber, and identification cards belonging to the victims.
Salanguit said the victims’ bodies were subsequently claimed by their immediate family members for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the identities of the gunmen, determine the motive for the killing, and determine whether the incident was related to the upcoming Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The double killing adds to the number of gun-related incidents recorded in BARMM since the implementation of the election gun ban on July 16 for the September 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
PRO-BARMM has recorded at least 45 gun-related incidents since the gun ban took effect, police said.
From July 16 to August 31, at least 15 people were killed and eight others wounded in gun-related incidents across the region.
The continued occurrence of shootings despite the election gun ban has prompted security authorities to intensify police and military coordination, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to election-related violence.
Police have yet to classify Monday’s killing as election-related.
The gun ban prohibits the unauthorized carrying and transport of firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period, with only those covered by exemptions or granted appropriate authority allowed to carry firearms.
As the September 14 polls approach, authorities have repeatedly warned against the use of firearms and other weapons that could threaten the safety of candidates, supporters, and voters.
For now, police and military units are focused on locating the two suspects, who remain at large. The investigation is ongoing.-Editha Z Caduaya
