4 villagers, including 3 minors killed in Central Mindanao ambush

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

January 30, 2026 | 6:24pm

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four individuals, three of them minors, were instantly killed in an ambush in Barangay New Abra in Matalam, Cotabato on Thursday night, January 29.

Local executives and Matalam’s deputy municipal police chief, Lt. Bonel Cabuyao, separately told reporters on Friday that the victims were riding motorcycles, on their way home from somewhere, when they were attacked by gunmen in Sitio Israel in Barangay New Abra.

The ambush victims, Rashid Sahay Mampo, 19, Rica Jane Maidlos, 18, Daryl Mampo Diansya, 16, and the 11-year-old Russel Kim Mampo Diansay, all died instantly from multiple bullet wounds sustained in the attack.

The incident left their 14-year-old companion, initially identified only as Ebrahim, wounded. He was immediately brought to a hospital by barangay officials for treatment.

Their assailants managed to escape before responding barangay officials and volunteer community watchmen could reach the scene.

Investigators from the Matalam Municipal Police Station and officials of the Cotabato Provincial Police Office are cooperating in identifying the culprits.

Army Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, said on Friday that their intelligence agents are helping local officials and police investigators identify the perpetrators of the atrocity for prosecution.