Two senior high school students were shot early Monday morning while on their way to class in Pikit, North Cotabato.
The victims, both students of Nurol Eilm Academy Foundation Inc., were traveling along Sitio Baklayan in Barangay Inug-Ug when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen.
One of the victims, Muslimin Sandialan, an 11th-grade student from Barangay Kabasalan, died at the scene. His companion, identified only as Raffy, sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan immediately instructed the Pikit Municipal Police Station and the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army to launch a manhunt for the suspects.
Authorities are currently conducting a hot pursuit operation in an effort to apprehend those responsible. No clear motive has been established, but officials are investigating whether the attack was random or targeted.
This incident marks the latest in a series of violent attacks in the region, heightening security concerns among residents and schools alike.
