2 teenaged suspects in ambush of doctor in Maguindanao del Sur surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Two teenaged suspects in the ambush of a doctor in Maguindanao de Sur have surrendered, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza said the two male suspects, aged 16 and 18, surrendered in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday over their alleged involvement in the shooting of Dr. Sharmaine Barroquillo.

Nobleza said the suspects will face charges for attempted robbery and frustrated murder.

“The motive is robbery,” Nobleza said, who added that the suspects have reportedly been involved in robbery incidents in the area. 

The suspects, however, did not manage to get hold of the doctor’s belongings, according to Nobleza.

Barroquillo, a physician at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in the provincial capital of Isulan, was driving her car on the national highway in Barangay Digal, Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, all the way from Davao City on the evening of Feb. 3 when she was chased and shot thrice by riding-in-tandem assailants.

The doctor sustained three gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and lower back that penetrated her spinal cord.

The gunman, while already identified, still remains at large, according to the official.

“We have also identified the gunman, and is the subject of police operations,” Nobleza said.

 Nobleza said the gunman is also about 16 years old.