Armed men allegedly blocked a van and mauled the male passengers in Barangay Batobato, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

According to the victims, they were heading to the town to visit their relatives when the armed men harassed them.

“That time kasi andon ’yong mga pamilya ko sa sinasakyan namin. Tapos ’nong nakita ko ’yong .45 na itinutok sa kasama ko, kinabahan ako. Tapos dinepensahan ko ang sarili ko…bigla na lang akong tinamaan. Tapos pinuntahan ko agad ang pamilya ko kasi natakot ako — andon ang mga anak ko. Ang dami nila…binugbog ako. Hanggang ngayon, may pasa pa ako,” one of the victims said.

The suspects did not harm the children and female passengers, but some of them were reportedly traumatized by the incident.

The suspects also confiscated the passengers’ cellphones.

After a few minutes, the victims were released, but the suspects warned them not to come back.

The victims then reported the incident to the police.

According to the town mayor, the passengers of the van were allegedly accused of being flying voters.

“Kung flying voters man ni sila, nganong sayo kaayo? Ikaduha, kung flying voter issue man ni, legal ’na. Pwede nila isaka sa Comelec o sa korte. Pero nganong sila mangharang ug tawo? Asa man ’na nga balaod nga kung kandidato ka, pwede ka mangharang? Unya nagpagawas pa gyud sila ug pusil — klaro kaayong paglapas sa Comelec,” Maguing Mayor Fahad Molok said.

Authorities are pursuing the suspects, as of this writing.