COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES — A sudden surge of gun violence has left Cotabato City on high alert after three separate shooting incidents over a 48-hour period claimed the lives of four people and left five others injured.

The string of attacks, which transpired between Friday night, July 10, and Sunday morning, July 12, 2026 has prompted local government and law enforcement units to rapidly intensify security protocols across the municipality.

The violence began late Friday night along Teodoro V. Juliano Avenue in Barangay Rosary Heights XI. Unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on another motorbike, killing two men instantly. Investigators initially suspect that this first attack may have been triggered by a localized personal dispute.

The bloodshed continued into Saturday morning when a local engineer, Surraff Kadir Pasandalan, was targeted and shot dead along LR Sebastian Street in Barangay Rosary Heights XII. His 16-year-old son, who was operating the motorcycle at the time, survived the ambush but sustained gunshot wounds.

The final incident occurred on Sunday morning in Barangay Poblacion 5, where motorcycle-riding suspects shot and killed a tricycle driver along Jose Lim Street. Stray bullets from this third attack hit bystanders in the vicinity, including an off-duty police officer who was passing through the area. All wounded survivors are currently recuperating in local medical facilities.

Following the weekend's events, Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad “Bruce” Matabalao issued a stern condemnation of the attacks and vowed to bring full administrative support to the ongoing investigations.

"We have directed law enforcement to intensify operations, increase police visibility, strengthen intelligence gathering, and pursue those responsible with urgency," Mayor Matabalao said in an official statement. "We will provide our full support until those behind these crimes are identified, arrested, and brought to justice."

City Police Director Colonel Jibin Bongcayao revealed that initial intelligence suggests the string of violence may be tied to ongoing "rido" (hereditary family feuds) originating from neighboring municipalities, which unfortunately spilled over into Cotabato City lines.

In response to the crisis, tactical checkpoints have been established at key entry and exit points of the city, and police patrols have been heavily scaled up in crime-prone neighborhoods. Authorities are strongly urging community members to cooperate with investigators by reporting any technical details or suspicious activities that could lead to the swift apprehension of the perpetrators.