A live-in couple was shot dead by two armed suspects in Norala, South Cotabato, at 12:35 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Barangay Captain Randy Gardose of Barangay Puti confirmed the incident during an interview with Bombo Radyo Koronadal.
The victims were identified as Romel Crisostomo, a 37-year-old farmer, and his partner, Gina Bansil, also 37, both residents of Sitio El Kuda, Barangay Puti.
The shooting occurred in Purok Roxas while the couple was on their way home from Barangay Poblacion, according to Gardose.
Crisostomo sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest and head, while Bansil was hit in the abdomen and hand; she succumbed to her injuries at Norala Hospital.
Authorities revealed that one of the suspects, identified as Ignacio Caguimbaga, is a nephew of Crisostomo and also a resident of the area.
A witness reportedly pointed to Caguimbaga as one of the suspects responsible for the crime.
Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to track the suspects, who fled the scene on a motorcycle.
Investigations into the motive for the killings are ongoing.