Four employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Second District, North Cotabato were ambushed in Kidapawan City on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Two died while two others injured.

According to the Cotabato Provincial Police Office, the victims were heading home from an Islamic Friday prayer on board a pickup truck when they were fired upon by suspects on board a motorcycle upon reaching Barangay Lanao.

The victims’ vehicle crashed into an electric post.

Two of the victims, the 37-year-old driver and his 25-year-old companion, died on the spot due to gunshot wounds.

On the other hand, the two others were injured after they jumped out of the vehicle before it crashed into the post. They are now receiving treatment in the hospital.

“Nang pauwi na sila, yun na nga, sinundan sila tinabihan ang kanilang sasakyan… after that siguro during sa pagbaril, naapakan ng driver yung accelerator kung kaya tumawid sila sa kabilang lane hanggang sa bumangga sila sa poste ng COTELCO,” Cotabato Provincial Police Office Spokesperson, Lt. James Warren Caang, said.

Authorities are eyeing personal grudge as motive.

“Sa initial investigation na ginawa ng ating kapulisan sa Kidapawan, ito ay personal grudge sa kanyang trabaho,” Caang added.

Police already identified a person of interest who may have a hand in the ambush.