COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/11 February)— A kindergarten student was tragically killed by a stray bullet inside his classroom at Damabalas Elementary School in Datu Piang, Maguindanao Del Sur. Police Captain Oriel Siangco, Chief of the Datu Piang Police, confirmed the incident. The victim, 5-year-old Farhadin Ludtia from Datu Salibo town, was struck at around 8:40 a.m. during class and died instantly. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the source of the bullet and identifying those responsible. The killing has drawn strong condemnation from local leaders, who stressed that schools must remain safe spaces. BTA Deputy Speaker Engr. Baintan Ampatuan expressed deep concern, calling the incident both saddening and alarming. Senator Juan Miguel “Migs” Zubiri and BARMM security sectors have previously called for stricter measures to curb gun violence. The incident has renewed outrage over the proliferation of loose firearms in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Maguindanao Del Sur representative Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu urged intensified disarmament efforts, emphasizing the need to protect innocent lives. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
