Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel were shot and killed by two unidentified assailants in Cotabato City on Thursday afternoon.
One of the fatalities, SN2 Reniel Agpalo, died upon arrival at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, said Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police regional office.
Salanguit said the second fatality, ASN Louther Jhon Vitor, died while undergoing medical treatment at the same hospital.
Salanguit also said investigators are looking into a ”work-related personal grudge” as the motive.
The incident occurred at around 12:28 p.m. along Roman Street, Poblacion 6 in Cotabato City.
Police said Agpalo and Vitor, along with their commander, Lt. Cmdr. John Paul Cobarrubias, were aboard a van when two motorcycle-riding suspects appeared and opened fire.
The suspects used a 9mm pistol based on the seven empty shells recovered at the crime scene.
Agpalo, Vitor, and Cobarrubias are all assigned to the PCG’s Cotabato City Station. Cobarrubias was unharmed in the attack.
Cotabato City policemen are conducting follow-up operations.
”Crime scene processing and CCTV retrieval are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects,” the Cotabato City police station said.
It said the motive remains under investigation.
”Authorities are pursuing all available leads to establish the identities of the suspects, determine the motive, and bring those responsible to justice,” it also added.