Parang: Police tracker teams are pursuing an armed suspect who fatally shot a farmer and wounded his wife early Thursday in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, an official said. Major Blayn Lomas-e, chief of the Parang municipal police station, identified the slain farmer as Samuel Lamis of Purok Panay, Barangay Sarmiento, and his injured wife as Fylin Lamis.

According to Philippines News Agency, citing witnesses' accounts, Lomas-e said the attacker was identified as Jonathan Macapundag, a resident of Barangay Polloc, also in Parang town. 'The victims were walking on their way to the farm at about 5 a.m. when the suspect suddenly opened fire at the couple and fled,' Lomas-e said in a local radio station interview.

Responding villagers rushed the couple to a hospital in Cotabato City, where Samuel Lamis was declared dead on arrival. Fylin Lamis is currently receiving treatment for injuries to her shoulder and back. Lomas-e has urged the suspect to surrender peacefully as the case against him builds.