Cop shot dead while praying in mosque in Lanao del Sur

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A police officer was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman while he was praying in a mosque in Barangay Uyaan Proper, Madamba, Lanao del Sur, at around 7:42 p.m. on Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Police Regional Office, identified the victim as Chief Master Sgt. Alioden Sarangani, also known as Alioden, a resident of Barangay Tungantungan, Madalum, Lanao del Sur.

He was assigned to the Madamba Municipal Police Station.

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According to a Madamba station police report, Sarangani was praying inside the mosque when the assailant entered and shot him, killing him on the spot with a gunshot wound to the head.

The assailant immediately fled the scene after the shooting.

Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the shooter and determine the motive behind the attack.

Abecia strongly condemned the incident and assured the public that efforts are underway to bring the perpetrator to justice. /das /atm