Barangay watchman killed in Maguindanao del Norte ambush

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January 16, 2026 | 6:44pm

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A Moro barangay watchman, known for his active enforcement of road safety measures and involvement in community religious activities, died instantly in an ambush in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday night, January 15.

The slain Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team member, Kadil Abusama Abas, succumbed to multiple bullet wounds sustained in an attack in an unlit stretch of a thoroughfare in Sitio Daubab in Barangay Tamontaka in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, told reporters on Friday that Abas was driving his tricycle, on his way home, when he was attacked by gunmen along the route.

Abas, a scion of a big noble Moro clan, is known to residents of Barangay Tamontaka as a hardworking and courteous BPAT member, active in guarding busy highway intersections for more than eight hours every day to ensure the safety of villagers, particularly children, crossing through.

He was also actively involved in Islamic religious activities meant to foster interfaith solidarity among Muslim, Christian and ethnic Teduray residents in Barangay Tamontaka.

His assailants managed to escape before responding community watchmen and barangay leaders could reach the scene.

Barangay officials, including Tamontaka Chairwoman Bai Ivie Sinsuat, have condemned the atrocity that left Abas dead and urged the police to put a closure on the incident. 

Investigators from the municipal police force, traditional Moro community leaders and barangay officials are cooperating in identifying the perpetrators of the fatal ambush of Abas for prosecution.