Authorities have said that the splashing of chemical incident involving a rider and his female companion in Cagayan de Oro City was an isolated case and not a criminal modus.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) said the incident may have stemmed from a personal grudge between the female victim and the suspect.

Based on CCTV footage obtained by investigators, the suspect, who was allegedly a co-worker of the female victim, was seen waiting by the road.

When the victims passed by on a motorcycle, the suspect boarded another motorcycle while carrying a bottle containing a chemical substance believed to be acid.

The suspect then overtook the victims and splashed the chemical at them.

The victims suffered burns on the face and body after the incident and were seen on video being assisted by concerned residents.

“Naklaro gyud sya no, nagdala siya og empty (bottle) colorless ang sulod, liquid siya, (plastic) nga bottle. So mao pud ang gi-describe sa maong biktima nga mao’y gisudlan,” Police Station 4 Chief, Major Peter Tajor, sadid.

After reporting the incident to the police, investigators learned that the female victim had a misunderstanding with a co-worker.

The CCTV footage later confirmed that the suspect was the same person involved in the dispute.

“Ato man na-interview gahapon (ang biktima) ato man siya na-istorya nga mu-file siya upon release sa iyang medical certificate ug medico legal,” Tajor added.

Authorities are pursuing the suspect, as of this writing.

Police maintained that this is the first incident of a chemical-splashing attack involving a rider and passenger in the city, contrary to claims circulating on social media that it is a new criminal modus.

“So far, wala ta’y na-record, nagpablotter o na-interview regarding sa the same incident previous months, so wala ta’y (narecord) so kini ra nga insidente,” Tajor said.