Rajah buayan: Police authorities, supported by the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, have initiated a manhunt for two gunmen responsible for the fatal shooting of a village chairman and his cousin in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, has prompted an extensive search effort to apprehend the suspects involved.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the search for the perpetrators is ongoing. The attack occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m. near the house of the victim, Barangay Panadtaban village chief Norodin Sindatukan Utto.

Utto was traveling on a motorbike driven by his cousin, Arto Utto Mangilala, when two men on separate motorcycles overtook them. One of the assailants drew a pistol and fired at the pair without any provocation before fleeing the scene. Mangilala was killed instantly, while Utto succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

Lt. Col. Ventura noted that the ambush took place just meters from Utto's home as he was heading to the village hall for work. The police are continuing their investigation, gathering information on potential persons of interest linked to the attack.