A barangay chairwoman was injured while her husband and a tricycle driver were killed during a shooting incident in Barangay Poblacion 5, Cotabato City on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Authorities said Barangay Poblacion Chairwoman Pahima Pusaka, her husband Michael, and their two sons were on board a sports utility vehicle when four suspects on two motorcycles followed them.

Upon reaching Jose Lim Street, the suspects shot the victims and fled. The victims’ vehicle was riddled with bullets.

Pahima sustained gunshot wounds in the shoulder while Michael sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body. They were rushed to the hospital, but Michael was declared dead on arrival.

Their two sons, three and 11 years old, also sustained minor injuries from the shattered glass of the vehicle.

During the incident, a “payong-payong” tricycle driver also died on the spot after he was hit by a stray bullet.

Investigators recovered up to 64 fired cartridge cases from the crime scene, 17 of which were believed to have come from a 9mm pistol while the other 47 were suspected to have come from a caliber .45 pistol.

Authorities have identified persons of interest who may have a hand in the incident.

“Regarding sa suspects, meron na tayong persons-of-interest. Napag-alaman natin na apat na unidentified na mga kalakakihan na sakay sila sa dalawang black motorcycle,” Cotabato City Police Office Spokesperson, Lt. Rochelle Evangelista, said.

Pahima’s brother, Barangay Kalanganan Chairman Bimbo Ayunan Pasawiran, said Pahima may have been the target of the attack.

“According kay kapitana, nung nakita nung husband si Michael na si kapitana ang target, parang dinapa niya si kapitan  parang sinalo niya yung mga parang di mapuruhan si kapitana,” Pasawiran said.

Police are eyeing personal grudge as motive.

“Initially, ito yung tinututukan ng ating investigating team na malamang believed to be personal grudge ito,” Evangelista said.

However, the victims’ family claimed that the incident was politically motivated.

“Actually, political motivation naman ito, politics ang pinagsimulan nito,” Pasawiran said.

A special investigation task group has been formed to investigate the incident.