Gunmen riding a motorcycle ambushed and killed a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson while critically injuring his brother along a busy street in Cotabato City on Saturday morning, October 4.
City police director Colonel Jibin Bongcayao identified the fatalities as Prince Mohaz Matanog, SK chairperson of Barangay Poblacion 5, and his brother, Muamar Matanog. He said Mohaz was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while his brother remained in critical condition.
Police investigation revealed that the attack happened shortly after 10 am along Sinsuat Avenue, near the corner of Jose Lim Street, where the victims’ car came under heavy gunfire.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police regional director Brigadier General Jansen De Guzman, said that he immediately proceeded to the scene and supervised the initial investigation.
Investigators said the victims were driving a Toyota Raize (NFJ 8206) when two men on a motorcycle opened fire. Despite being hit, the elder Matanog tried to drive away, but the assailants chased and continued shooting at their vehicle.
Police officers on patrol responded and engaged the gunmen in a brief exchange of fire, which left one policeman wounded. The suspects eventually fled, while the victims’ vehicle stopped about 800 meters from the ambush site.
Responding officers brought the brothers to the hospital, but doctors pronounced the younger Matanog dead on arrival. Scene investigators recovered at least 94 empty shells from the site, believed to have come from both the suspects and responding policemen.
Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao condemned the daylight attack, describing it as an assault on peace, order, and public service.
He offered a p500,000 reward for information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
The Bangsamoro Youth Commission, where Matanog served as a member, also denounced the killing. Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding said Matanog’s death marked a great loss to his family, the youth sector, and the community he served with dedication.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.