Off-duty soldier slain in N. Cotabato ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21, 2023): Off-duty soldier slain in N. Cotabato ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

GUNNED DOWN. Police check on the body of an off-duty soldier slain in an ambush along the national highway in Kabacan, North Cotabato, on Thursday night (July 20, 2023).Major Maxim Peralta, Kabacan police chief, said suspects took the soldier’s motorbike but later abandoned it in nearby Datu Montawal town, Maguindanao Sur, including their motorbike. (Photo courtesy of Kabacan MPS)

KABACAN, North Cotabato – Unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed Thursday night an off-duty soldier in Barangay Kayaga here, police said.

Major Maxim Peralta, Kabacan police chief, identified the fatality as Private First Class John Ian Paul Castor, 30, assigned with the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion based in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Castor was driving his motorcycle going to Kabacan when two men aboard another motorbike opened fire, hitting the soldier in his back and falling off his bike.

Police recovered empty shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene. The victim's motorcycle was taken by the gunmen.

However, during the pursuit operation, the perpetrators abandoned the victim's vehicle, along with a motorbike, believed to be the gunmen’s getaway vehicle, on a roadside in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.

Police units in the province have been alerted for possible sightings of the armed duo, Peralta said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206125