Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) enlisted personnel were killed in an ambush along Roman Vilo Street in Cotabato City on Thursday, October 22.
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab confirmed that the victims were among three Coast Guard personnel assigned to Coast Guard Station (CGS) Maguindanao who were aboard a vehicle when the attack occurred at around 12:40 p.m.
One victim, a Seaman Second Class (SN2), was declared dead on arrival at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center, while the other, an Apprentice Seaman (ASN), initially received medical treatment but later died at around 2:04 p.m.
The third Coast Guard personnel onboard, the CGS Maguindanao commander, was unharmed and proceeded to Police Station 1 in Cotabato City to assist in the ongoing investigation.
According to an earlier report by RH Jun Dimacutac, the victims were identified as Apprentice Seaman Louther John Vitor, a resident of Butuan City, and Seaman Second Class Reniel Agpalo, a resident of Nueva Ecija.
Initial reports said unidentified gunmen opened fire on the victims' SUV in front of their lodging house before fleeing aboard a single motorcycle.
Authorities recovered spent 9mm bullet casings at the scene.
The motive behind the attack remains undetermined as police continue their investigation, including the review of CCTV footage from the area.
The PCG said it is coordinating with the families of the deceased personnel to provide appropriate assistance.
