Authorities are investigating a shooting incident in Barangay Dapantis, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur, which left one civilian dead and a soldier injured.
Maguindanao del Sur PNP Director Col. Ryan Bobby Paloma identified the fatality as Jabber Amil Ambal, a resident of Barangay Dapantis, while the wounded soldier was identified only as Sgt. Calib of the 33rd Infantry Battalion.
According to the police investigation, the soldier was supposed to meet a former informant when motorcycle-riding gunmen suddenly opened fire.
Sgt. Calib sustained injuries, while Ambal, who happened to be in the area, was shot and died on the spot.
The wounded soldier is currently recovering, while authorities continue efforts to identify the suspects.
PCol. Jemuel Siason, Deputy Regional Director for Operations of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, stated that police presence in the region has been doubled following a series of deadly shootings, despite the enforcement of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.
He also assured the public that additional police forces, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are on standby to maintain peace and order in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).