2 dead in Maguindanao del Sur gun attack amid gun ban

Two individuals were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, police said, despite an election gun ban being in effect. The victims were identified as Ebrahim Mamalinta, 35, a resident of Gen. SK Pendatun town, and his brother, Marquez Mamalinta, a resident of Pandag town, both in Maguindanao del Sur. According to Captain Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the victims were riding tandem on a motorcycle when they were attacked by two men riding tandem on a separate motorbike in Barangay Campo, Paglat town, around 1 p.m. Witnesses reported that the suspects fled towards Gen. SK Pendatun town. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victims sprawled beside the highway. Authorities recovered the victims' motorcycle, four empty shells from an unidentified caliber, and their identification cards. Family members of the victims claimed their bodies for Muslim burial rites. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, and police are currently investigating the incident. The PRO-BAR reported at least 43 gun attacks in the region since the election gun ban was implemented on July 16, resulting in 14 deaths and eight wounded. Maguindanao del Sur recorded the highest number of gun-related incidents with 16. This incident highlights the persistent threat of political tension and violence in the region, especially with the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections scheduled for September 14.