Two members of the Teduray Lambangian Indigenous Peoples tribe were killed in an ambush in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday afternoon.
The fatalities were identified as Cita Angan, 39, and Ricky Tapioc, 30, residents of Barangay Mantao, Ampatuan.
Angan was the wife of tribal leader Baywan Angan, a former barangay councilor who was killed in Sitio Kukor, Barangay Mantao on Dec. 7.
Two companions were injured, Kutang Tilok, a member of the IP community, and Saber Zacaria, a motorcycle driver.
A former chairman of Barangay Sayap reported hearing rapid gunfire in Sitio Skagit, Barangay Sayap at around 4 p.m.
The incident was reported to the police who reached the crime scene after travelling through three kilometers of dirt roads.
Investigation said Angan and her companions were returning home with relief goods from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Social Services and Development when they were ambushed by two male gunmen.
The BARMM Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs condemned the attack.
“We call on law enforcement and other government agencies to take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of IPs in Datu Hoffer,” Minister Melanio Ulama said.
Lawmen are conducting follow-up investigation and reaching out to survivors to identify the suspects.