Student killed, 9 others wounded in Davao Sur ambush

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – A 15-year-old student was killed, while nine others were wounded when an undetermined number of armed men ambushed a barangay-owned truck loaded with passengers at Sitio Quarry in Barangay Kimlawais, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur on Sunday night.

In a report to the Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office (DSPPO), Supt. Deozar Almasa, acting chief of the Kiblawan Municipal Police Station, said 40 students of Kimlawis National High School (KNHS) were on board the service vehicle owned by Barangay Kimlawis, and were on their way to Kiblawan Gym to perform at the “Maral de Dalan,” a street dancing event for the three-day Damsu Festival, when they were attacked.

While they were about 150 meters away from Barangay Kimlawis proper, unidentified armed men fired at the truck, resulting in the death of 16-yearold Jimboy Linkanay, who was declared dead on arrival at Gregorio Matas District Hospital in Davao del Sur.

Wounded in the attack were James Paul Sarno, 18; Mildred Linkanay, 15; and JivCrisMalalay, 17, who were taken to the Davao Sur National Hospital Digos City); and JimboySumali, 25, who was admitted at Davao Sur National Hospital Digos City).

Nibert Malanson, Marlon Malanson, Aries Caluyan, 15 (SPMC), and the driver of the truck Mark Gil Tol were taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

Davao del Sur chief of police Sr. Superintendent Samuel Gadingan said all the victims suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies.

Gadingan said the incident was still under investigation by the Kiblawan municipal police while a municipal search and rescue team has been deployed to barangay Ihan in Kimlawis to scour the area and track down the assailants.