Three people, including a former town police chief, were killed in separate shooting incidents in Maguindanao del Sur and Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Police said retired Police Senior Insp. Elias Dandan, former police chief of Pikit, Cotabato, and his companion identified as alias “Reymond” did not reach the hospital alive after they were shot in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.

Their vehicle was riddled with bullets after the incident.

Based on investigation, the victims were heading to Pikit town from Maguindanao del Sur when an unidentified gunman on board a minivan fired shots at them upon reaching Barangay Pagagawan in Datu Montawal.

Authorities are still investigating the incident to identify the assailant and determine the motive.

“Sa ngayon, ongoing ang ginagawang investigation at saka coordination sa pamilya nitong ating mga kapulisan para makabigay man lang ng lead kung saan tutumbukin ng ating kapulisan kung merong mga banta sa kanilang buhay before pa ito nangyari sa kanila,” Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Capt. Guiseppe Tamayo, said.

SEPARATE INCIDENT

In SGA-BARMM, a man was also killed after he was shot while driving his “payong-payong” tricycle in Batulawan, Malidegao.

Investigators said the victim had gone out to buy food for their iftar (the meal taken after sunset during Ramadan).

When he was on his way home, he was shot suddenly by an unidentified suspect who fled the area immediately.

Investigation into the incident continues.