Highway patrol cop hurt in Cotabato gun attack

In Matalam, Cotabato, a brazen attack on a police officer underscores the ongoing security challenges plaguing the region. Senior Master Sgt. Noel Demate was conducting a routine vehicle inspection as part of a road safety and anti-carnapping operation when he was targeted by motorcycle-riding gunmen. The incident, which resulted in superficial wounds to Demate's chin and neck, occurred in a town that has recently seen a disturbing rise in unsolved grenade attacks and deadly shootings.

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Two men riding a motorcycle shot and wounded a policeman assigned to the Cotabato Provincial Highway Patrol Team in an attack on Tuesday night, May 12, in Matalam town in Cotabato province.

While Demate was fortunate to be released from the hospital quickly, the attack highlights the dangerous environment faced by law enforcement in Matalam. The assailants managed to escape, and a manhunt is currently underway, involving both police and local barangay officials. This reflects a persistent issue where perpetrators of violent crimes evade capture, leaving communities on edge.

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Demate sustained superficial wounds to his chin and neck, according to local officials in Matalam, a town that has been rocked in recent months by a spate of grenade attacks and deadly shooting incidents, all of which remain unsolved.

Authorities, including Municipal officials and Cotabato provincial police director Col. Ramel Hojilla, have vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible. However, the unsolved nature of previous incidents in Matalam casts a shadow of doubt. The community, already grappling with a spate of violence, will be looking for swift and decisive action to restore a sense of security and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Philstar.com report, while factual, implicitly conveys the underlying tension and the need for enhanced security measures in the area.

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Demate and his companions were inspecting vehicles passing through the town center of Matalam, one of the 17 towns in Cotabato, as part of a road safety and anti-carnapping operation when two men riding a motorcycle pulled over near him, drew pistols from their waists and opened fire.