Tragedy on wheels: Van driver, passenger killed in shocking Misamis Oriental shooting

• A tragic shooting inside a passenger van in Misamis Oriental has resulted in two deaths and one serious injury

• The lone suspect, who was also a passenger, fled the scene and remains at large

• The driver and another male passenger were killed after being shot in the chest, while a female passenger sustained injuries

• Witness accounts suggest the driver and suspect may have known each other, as the suspect reportedly used the term 'angkol' (uncle) when addressing the driver

A nighttime ambush inside a passenger van in Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, left two people dead and one injured, sending shockwaves through the community.

The suspect, who was a passenger in the same vehicle, opened fire on the driver and two other occupants before escaping on foot.

The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday in Barangay Mandahilag. The passenger van was traveling from Cagayan de Oro City and was en route to Gingoog City when the unprovoked attack took place.

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Authorities were immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting.

According to initial police reports and witness testimonies, the suspect was seated near the driver. As the van came to a stop, the suspect suddenly began shooting.

The driver and a male passenger both sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest. A female passenger was also shot and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released as police are working to notify their next of kin.

Police are now in a manhunt for the gunman, whose identity remains unknown. The motive behind the deadly shooting is also still under investigation.

However, a key detail has emerged from witness accounts. Witnesses reported hearing the suspect refer to the van's driver as 'angkol,' a term of endearment in Filipino that translates to 'uncle.'

This has led investigators to consider the possibility that the driver and the assailant were not strangers but may have known each other.

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Police Major Joann Navarro, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), confirmed the details of the incident.

"Naigo kini siya (van driver) sa iyang dughan nga bahin ug kato pud ang isa nga pasahero nga naglingkod sa likod nga portion sa van nakahiagom gihapon og usa ka samad-pinusilan sa iyang dughan gihapon (The driver was shot in the chest, and another passenger seated in the back of the van also sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest)," she stated.

The tragic event highlights the random and brutal nature of the crime. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may help lead to the capture of the suspect and shed light on the circumstances that led to this deadly confrontation.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.

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In other news, viral dog 'TikTok,' who survived a horrific arrow attack, tragically died after being struck by a car in Bacolod City. TikTok's inspiring journey from a cruelty victim to a symbol of resilience captivated animal lovers nationwide. The dog was under the temporary care of a volunteer to protect him from a distemper outbreak at an animal shelter. His death has sparked a wave of mourning among the animal rescue community and supporters who followed his story.

Still in other news, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has returned as Senate President, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero in a swift leadership change. Earlier, Sotto confirmed he had the support of at least 15 senators, an overwhelming majority, which led to his formal election. The change in leadership followed a motion to declare the Senate presidency vacant and is believed to be linked to controversies, including a corruption investigation. The new leadership includes Senator Panfilo Lacson as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Majority Leader, forming a new majority bloc.

Source: KAMI.com.gh