Two cousins, both minors, were shot dead inside the sports car they were riding in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

The victims’ car was riddled with bullets after the shooting. The suspects were reportedly riding another car.

Residents in the area and the police found the boys drenched in blood inside the car. One was in the front seat while the other was in the back seat.

They were rushed to the hospital but did not make it there alive.

According to the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, the victims were 14 and 15 years old and were residents of Barangay Kulalo, Mamasapano town.

Police said the perpetrators allegedly followed the victims until they reached the place of the incident.

Investigators are looking into two persons of interest.

“Yung dalawang victim, on-board four-wheeled vehicle, from Ampatuan heading to Población Shariff Aguak. Yung dalawang biktima po ay sinundan din po ng isang four-wheeled vehicle. Initially, dalawang suspek din po ang ating tinututukan na may kagagawan po nitong pamamaril,” Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office Director, Col. Roel Sermese, said.

Recovered from the crime scene were 40 empty shells of an undetermined firearm.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive.

“D’yan nakasentro ang follow-up investigation natin. Katunayan, ngayong umaga, may mga tropa  tayo, may mga imbestigador tayo na nakikipag-coordinate at babalik sa crime scene upang makakalap ng additional evidence or witnesses na pwedeng tutulong sa kaso natin,” Sermese added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) denied that their personnel were involved in the incident.

“Some video clips circulated in the social media and some individuals spreading false accusation about the involvement of the PDEA in the event, that is why si PDEA Regional Office BARMM issued a statement denying that the agency is involved in the event,” PDEA-BARMM Information Officer, Jo Mary, said.

The family of the victims has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.