Four Dead in Philippines Mindanao Gun Attack

JAKARTA - The number of fatalities in the armed attack in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao (SGA-BARMM), the Philippines, on Tuesday morning (2/6), increased to four people after two injured victims died in hospital.

According to information from the Spokesperson for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police Captain Steffi Salanguit in Cotabato City, Wednesday, June 3, the two were identified as Romeo Lombo and a 17-year-old boy.

Salanguit explained that the first two dead were named Musalik Balang (45) and Haron Boliongan (35) who died after being attacked on Tuesday at 08:00 local time by a group of armed people in Barangay Malingao, Kadayangan.

"Meanwhile, four injured victims are still in hospital for treatment," said Captain Steffi Salanguit in a radio interview reported by ANTARA from PNA.

The police suspect that the shooting was triggered by a dispute regarding illegal drug transactions between the victims, all of whom are residents of Barangay Malingao, and a number of perpetrators who have not yet been identified.

"Around eight people arrived at the village, and without firing threats at the victims," explained Salanguit.

The village apparatus and local residents conveyed to the investigators that the location of the case was allegedly often used as a place for drug transactions, so that the incident was indicated to be related to the prohibited activity.

Meanwhile, in a separate radio interview, Kadayangan Mayor Duma Mascud said the suspects boarded a private vehicle and arrived at Malingao Village shortly before 08:00 local time.

"A total of three people got out of the vehicle and shot at civilians with a motive that is still being investigated," said Mascud.

The Maguindanao del Norte Police, which has jurisdiction over the SGA-BARMM area, has deployed additional personnel to prevent similar incidents.

Until now, there have been no reports of residents being displaced due to the incident.