By Edwin Fernandez

AMBUSHED VEHICLE. A police crime scene investigator walks near the Toyota Fortuner (LAL-8972) of Barangay Poblacion 5 Chairwoman Pahima Pusaka following an ambush along Jose Lim Street, Cotabato City on Tuesday morning (Sept. 16, 2025). The village official was slightly hurt in the incident, but her husband, who was driving the vehicle, was killed along with a tricycle driver hit by stray bullets. (Photo from Cotabato City Police Station 1)

COTABATO CITY – A village chairwoman escaped death in a daylight ambush by six gunmen on separate motorcycles along a busy street here on Tuesday morning, police said.

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, city police director, said Barangay Poblacion 5 chief Pahima Ayunan Pasawiran-Pusaka was slightly injured, but her husband, Mike, died before reaching the hospital following the 10 a.m. attack along Jose Lim Sr. Street.

“The village official was on board a white Toyota Fortuner (LAL-8792) driven by her husband when waylaid by gunmen on board motorcycles,” Bongcayao said in a report.

A tricycle driver was also killed when hit by stray bullets, he added.

Police investigators recovered about 50 empty shells for various calibers of firearms.

Investigation is still ongoing as of posting. (PNA)