LEFT DEAD. The bodies of a man and woman who were shot and left dead by still unidentified gunmen in Barangay Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Sunday (June 12, 2022). Authorities have yet to identify the victims, who have no identification cards with them. (Photo courtesy of Datu Odin Sinsuat MPS)
COTABATO CITY – Security has been tightened after four persons were killed and six were hurt in separate gun attacks here and in the nearby Maguindanao town Datu Odin Sinsuat, police said Monday.
In a statement, Capt. Jetto Yang, city police station 3 chief, said a group of teenagers on board a black Toyota sedan was ambushed around 7 p.m. Sunday by still unidentified gunmen in Barangay Kalanganan 2 here.
The ambush left two teenagers killed and six of their companions injured.
Police said the two fatalities, whose identities were withheld pending investigation, were pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. Likewise, the identities of those hurt in the incident were withheld for security reasons.
Edris Ayunan Pasawiran, village chairperson of Barangay Kalanganan 2, said the ambush was triggered by a quarrel among teenagers from two neighborhoods.
“We noticed that some of those involved in the misunderstanding were carrying guns,” Pasawiran said.
“Through our mediation, both sides agreed to settle their dispute supposedly today, June 13 at our barangay hall,” he added.
Pasawiran said the village government is helping the police identify the perpetrators, even as he appealed to the parties involved not to put the law into their hands.
Also on Sunday, police found two persons dead, a man and a woman, about 30 to 35-years-old, in the middle of the road in nearby Barangay Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Lt. Col. Asser Balindong, the town police chief, said villagers reported that they heard gunshots at past 4 a.m. Sunday and the sound of a speeding vehicle after that.
Balindong believed the two who have no identification cards are non-residents of the village and could have been shot and dumped by the suspects in Barangay Taviran.
Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director, ordered the establishment of additional checkpoints around the city and Maguindanao following twin shooting incidents. (PNA)
