In a shocking incident at a Cotabato City mall, authorities are actively searching for two individuals suspected of the brutal murder of an off-duty police officer. The attack occurred in the mall’s parking lot on Sunday evening, December 1, 2024, where Master Sgt. John Manuel Bongcawil was spending time with his family. Around 7 p.m., two gunmen approached and opened fire, fatally wounding Bongcawil with multiple shots to the head and body. His family, fortunately, remained unscathed during the assault. The assailants quickly escaped the scene on a motorcycle. Bongcawil was rushed to a nearby hospital by concerned bystanders but was declared dead upon arrival. Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region confirmed the victim’s identity and his assignment to the police regional office in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, director of PRO-BAR, has committed to ensuring justice for the fallen officer, as the Cotabato City Police Office intensifies efforts to apprehend the killers.
