Manila: A female municipal councilor in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and her husband were injured in a daylight ambush that resulted in two fatalities and another resident wounded, police reported.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Oliver Pauya, the chief of the municipal police station, identified the two deceased individuals as Udin Dalgan, 31, from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, and Rahib Wahab, 35, a tricycle driver residing in Barangay Sambulawan, Kadayangan, Special Geographic Area (SGA-BARMM).

The injured parties include Kadayangan Municipal Councilor Saida Endaila; her husband, Madron Endaila Jr., 48, a retired soldier; and Lani Yusop, 20, also from Kadayangan.

Pauya explained that all the victims, except for Wahab, were traveling in a black Toyota Fortuner (NDC 3579), driven by Yusop. They were on their way from Kadayangan town to Midsayap town center along the national highway in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, when gunmen in a white minivan opened fire around 8:45 a.m. Dalgan was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, while Wahab was killed instantly after being struck by a stray bullet.

Police are investigating the incident, considering a personal grudge or 'rido' (family feud) as a potential motive for the ambush. The attackers fled the scene in their vehicle towards Barangay Malingao, also in Kadayangan, SGA-BARMM, prompting an ongoing pursuit operation by law enforcement authorities.