A Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and his companion were gunned down in broad daylight on Saturday along Jose Lim Street, Barangay Poblacion 5 here.
Col. Jibin Bongcayao, the city police director, identified the victims as Prince Mohaz Rafsanjanie Matanog, youth council chair for Poblacion 5 in Cotabato City.
His brother, Muamar Salvador Matanog, who was with him during the attack, was seriously wounded and immediately rushed to a local hospital, where he later died. Police initial probe states that the victims were aboard a red Toyota Raize with plate number NFJ 8206 when they were fired upon by motorcycle-riding assailants.
Prince Mohaz sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, causing his instant death.
The Police Station 1 immediately launched a hot pursuit operation, which led to a firefight with the suspects. One of the assailants was reportedly hit, while a patrolman was also wounded during the encounter. Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered around 94 fired bullets from the crime scene as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the Cotabato State University (CotSU) community is grieving for the death of Prince Mohaz, a third-year student of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. ‘This brutal and senseless act is an offense against peace, order, and the values of public service that our city stands for,’ Matabalao said.
He also offered a bounty of P500,00 for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.