NORTH COTABATO: Five people were killed in separate incidents on January 1 in North Cotabato, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) reported. Three individuals died in a vehicular accident in Matalam town, while two others drowned in separate streams in the province, marking a tragic start to the new year.

According to Philippines News Agency, the vehicular accident occurred along the national highway in Barangay Central Malamote. The victims, identified as Almira Pillado, Michelle Pillado, and Liza Rulica, all from M'lang town, were traveling in a passenger multicab vehicle driven by Dennis Pillado when it went out of control. The incident also left eight others injured, including four minors. CPPO spokesperson Lt. Juaren Caang stated that the investigation into the accident is ongoing.

On the same day, two drowning incidents were reported. The first victim, Danilo Tapican, 55, from Barangay Pag-asa in M'lang, was found dead near a village bridge. The second victim, identified as Gilbert Cardoza, drowned while fishing along the riverbank of the Libungan River in Sitio Labaja, Poblacion, Libungan.

Despite these incidents, Caang noted that the overall celebration of Christmas Day and New Year's Day in the province was generally peaceful. He emphasized that the isolated incidents did not pose a broader security threat to the province.

Caang also referenced two other violent incidents that occurred on December 30. College instructor Shiela Ramos Bautista, an engineering professor at the University of Southern Mindanao, was shot dead in her vehicle in Barangay Binoligan, while a grenade attack in Barangay Marbel, Matalam, resulted in the death of Romel Presto Cabiso. Both incidents remain under investigation.