According to the victim, he was responding to a request for help from one their barangay leaders Junaid Dowa who was under threat of being kidnapped by armed men allegedly belonging to former Pantao Ragat mayor Lacson Lantud, son of the suspect.

            Azis was compelled to negotiate for the security of their supporter after learning that one of their leaders had already been taken earlier by armed groups.

            “I had no idea that we would be ambushed by Pantao Ragat former mayor, Inorac Lantud. He was holding what looked like a baby armalite. And my child was then riding at the back of my motorcycle”, Azis said.

Police reports indicate that the shooting took place at the highway of Brgy. Poblacion, Matungao.

            The suspect allegedly opened fire at the victim and his son despite appeals from the victim to lower his firearm. After sustaining a single gunshot wound in the stomach, the victim was still able to seek assistance from relatives who rushed him to a hospital in Iligan City.

Police who responded to the scene of the crime could no longer locate the assailant in the area and is now conducting follow-up operations to establish the suspect’s whereabouts and bring him to justice.

 The family of the victim is determined to press charges against the suspect for this senseless atrocity.