Mosque shooting injures 2 in Pagadian City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Mar 11, 2022): Mosque shooting injures 2 in Pagadian City

Four gunmen barged into a mosque and shot two worshippers in a daring broad daylight attack in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said Friday.

Police said the Thursday attack wounded Ustadz Salman Maulana Palwa, 39, and president of the Southeast Asian Development Committee Foundation Inc.; and Edon Abas Palwa, 63.

“Investigation disclosed that prior to the incident, the victims were worshiping inside the mosque when suddenly four unidentified male suspects entered the mosque and shot them,” said Maj. Shellamie Chang, a regional police spokesperson.

The motive of the attack is still unknown and it was unclear whether it was connected to Palwa’s non-profit foundation.

According to information, the 27-year old foundation assists and provides opportunities to Muslims, who are in dire need of help and support, to elevate them to the high status in the aspects of religious practice, knowledge, character and economic standing to become more productive citizens and God-fearing individuals.

The assailants fled on two motorcycles after the attack and were being hunted by the police in Pagadian, where gun attacks are not uncommon. Chang said the victims were rushed to hospital.

Police investigators have recovered a total of 18 bullet casings from .45-caliber pistols used by the gunmen. “Personnel of Pagadian City Police Station conducted a thorough investigation and follow-up operation to identify, locate and arrest the suspects,” Chang said.

The victims’ families nor the foundation issued any statements into the shooting.

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