Authorities have arrested two suspects allegedly responsible for the shooting incident that killed one person in Barangay Litayon, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay morning on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

In a statement, the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) identified the suspects as alleged barangay officials of Litayon and Tandiong Muslim.

Based on investigation, the victim and his companion, both residents of Tandiong Muslim, were supposed to retrieve a drone that have fallen to the ground when they were shot by the suspects.

Police said the victim died while his companion managed to escape unharmed.

Authorities arrested the two suspects in the area while four other suspects are being pursued, as of this writing.

Investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting.

Police also urged those who have knowledge about the incident to come forward and cooperate in the investigation.

“We assure the community that the ZSPPO is doing everything in its power to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. We have already taken the necessary steps in apprehending the suspects, and a full-scale investigation is ongoing,” ZSPPO Director, Col. Barnard Danie Dasugo, said.

Meanwhile, the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines (ACMs) in the barangay was suspended temporarily following the shooting incident, according to a report by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Zamboanga Sibugay.

The report said the venue for the final testing and sealing was transferred to the Office of the Election Officer to ensure the safety of election personnel and other stakeholders.

The final testing and sealing resumed in the afternoon.