COTABATO CITY, BARMM — Two brothers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur, on Monday, September 7, even as a strict election gun ban remains in force across the Bangsamoro region ahead of the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections.
Police identified the victims as Ebrahim Mamalinta, 35, a resident of General S.K. Pendatun, and his brother, Marquez Mamalinta, a resident of Pandag, both in Maguindanao del Sur.
According to Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit, the brothers were traveling together on a motorcycle when they were attacked at around 1 p.m. in Barangay Campo, Paglat.
Investigators said the assailants were also riding a motorcycle. Witnesses told police that the gunmen fled toward General S.K. Pendatun after the shooting.
When responding officers reached the scene, they found the two victims beside the highway. Police recovered the victims’ motorcycle, their identification cards and four spent shell casings from an undetermined firearm caliber.
The motive for the attack has not yet been established, and no individual or group has claimed responsibility. Police have launched an investigation and are pursuing the suspects.
The victims’ relatives subsequently claimed their bodies for burial in accordance with Muslim burial rites.
Another deadly shooting despite the gun ban
The Paglat attack adds to a growing list of gun-related incidents recorded in the Bangsamoro region since the election gun ban took effect.
PRO-BAR reported that 43 gun-related incidents had been recorded across BARMM since July 16, when the election gun ban was implemented. The incidents resulted in 14 deaths and eight injuries, according to police data reported by the Inquirer.
Maguindanao del Sur accounted for the largest number of reported incidents, with 16 cases, followed by Maguindanao del Norte with 14, Lanao del Sur with seven, Basilan with four and Cotabato City with two. Police said the incidents had various reported motives, including personal grudges, family feuds or rido, revenge and alleged drug-related activities.
The latest killings also come after several other deadly shootings in Maguindanao del Sur in recent weeks.
On Aug. 20, three people were attacked along a national highway in Datu Saudi Ampatuan. Two victims—a businessman and his driver—were killed, while another passenger was wounded. Police said the gunmen were riding a motorcycle and opened fire on their vehicle near an area undergoing road repairs.
A separate Aug. 23 shooting in Shariff Saydona Mustapha also left farmer Ebrahim Kalotig Timbao, 45, dead. Police said he was riding his motorcycle home when gunmen aboard an unmarked vehicle opened fire. Investigators recovered nine spent cartridges believed to have come from a 5.56mm firearm.
Authorities intensify enforcement
The election gun ban covers the BARMM election period that began on July 16 and will run through Sept. 29, 2026. The restriction was imposed in preparation for the region’s first parliamentary elections scheduled for Sept. 14.
Comelec has warned that firearm licenses in the region are suspended during the election period, although authorized exemptions may be granted to individuals who meet specific security or occupational requirements. Those covered by exemptions must secure the necessary authorization from the poll body.
Authorities have also reported arrests linked to violations of the gun ban. By Aug. 22, the PNP said 19 people had been arrested for alleged gun-ban violations in BARMM, including eight in Maguindanao del Sur and six in Maguindanao del Norte. Police also reported confiscating firearms and explosives during enforcement operations.
Despite the intensified checkpoints and security operations, the continuing attacks have raised concerns about violence and public safety as the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections approach.
For now, police are focused on identifying the gunmen responsible for the Paglat attack and determining why the two brothers were targeted.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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