ZAMBOANGA CITY — An Egyptian educator known for his interfaith peace work in the Bangsamoro region was shot dead on Saturday night, November 29, at the boundary of Barangays Lumbangan and Divisoria.
Authorities identified the victim as Abdalrahman Elshawadfy Mohammed Elfaky, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates, director of Police Regional Office-9, confirmed Sunday that police units are now coordinating to track down the lone gunman responsible.
Elfaky, an administrator at the Asia Academic School in Barangay Tetuan, was driving his grey Toyota Innova when he was flagged down and repeatedly shot by an unidentified assailant who later fled aboard a motorcycle. Initial reports from barangay responders indicated that he was en route to Barangay Lumbangan at the time of the attack.
Though based in Zamboanga City, Elfaky maintained strong ties with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He was widely respected in Cotabato City’s Islamic community, where he supported interfaith peace initiatives involving Muslims, Christians, and non-Moro Indigenous Peoples. He also founded a small Islamic school in Purveyor’s Village just a year ago.
“He was a very courteous, polite, and humble person,” said Maguindanaon datu Lucky Abdullah, who regarded Elfaky as a sincere advocate of religious harmony.
Officials of the Bangsamoro government have called on Zamboanga authorities to expedite the investigation, stressing Elfaky’s contributions to peace-building efforts across the region.
Friends in Cotabato City also confirmed that Elfaky’s family resides in Matina Aplaya, Davao City.
As of Sunday, police investigators and intelligence units continue to gather CCTV footage and testimonies from barangay officials to identify the perpetrator and determine the motive behind the attack.