Three people died while two others were injured after they were ambushed in the waters off Tapul and Tangkulang Island in Sulu.

According to the Coast Guard Station Western Sulu, a group of armed individuals attacked the victims at sea while they were heading to Laminusa from Maimbung on board a motorized banca evening on March 30, 2026, based on accounts of a survivor.

A response team proceeded to the area using a speedboat and retrieved three bodies riddled with bullets – those of a woman and two young girls.

The team also rescued a man and a woman.

The fatalities were brought to Laminusa while the wounded victims were rushed to a hospital after they were given initial medical aid.

The next day, a search and rescue team searched for the missing individuals but did not find them.

Authorities urged residents and fisherfolk in the area to report sightings of the missing individuals.

Based on reports, three people were confirmed dead, two were wounded, three are still missing, as of this writing. Four others survived the incident.

Authorities are still investigating the incident.