COTABATO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Two gunmen aboard a motorbike shot and critically wounded a Maguindanao provincial prosecutor and a companion during a daring attack shortly before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday along a busy thoroughfare here.

P/Insp. Jaime Lapeña, city sub-station 2 commander, said Maguindanao Provincial Prosecutor Akilali Balt was fired upon by the gunmen as the victim’s pick up truck was caught in a traffic jam along the corner of Sinsuat Avenue and Pansacala Street.

Also hit in the volley of gunfire was a companion of the prosecutor whom initial reports failed to identify.

Surprised security aides of the provincial prosecutor managed to return fire but failed to hit the attackers who sped off along the interiors of Pansacala Street.

Pursuing lawmen later recovered the gunmen’s motorcycle abandoned on a secluded section of the same street.

Balt, who sustained a gunshot wound in the head, and his companion remains in critical condition at the Notre Dame Hospital here where they were rushed following the incident.