Assassination is normal in the Philippines not only for government officials but also for regular citizens. The most common method of assassination for both citizens and officials is a motorcycle duo riding up on the target and then blasting them away. This series will document the number of citizens assassinated on a monthly basis. These stories are to be distinguished from regular murder cases which happen on a daily basis.
A 38-year-old part-time instructor was shot dead by an unidentified gunman outside his home in Sta. Maria town shortly after midnight on Thursday, July 30.
Col. Mark Louie Sigua, Sta. Maria police chief, identified the victim as Stephen Gelo Enriquez, a resident of St. Ville Subdivision in Barangay Poblacion.
Police said Enriquez had just arrived home and was about to get out of his vehicle at around 12:30 a.m. when a lone assailant, described as wearing a white bull cap, casually approached him from behind and opened fire.
Despite being wounded, Enriquez managed to shout for help, alerting his sister who was inside their house. She immediately rushed him to Bocaue Specialist Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
Investigators are conducting an extensive review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage in the area to identify and track down the suspect.
Sigua said police are pursuing all possible angles in the investigation and are not focusing on a single motive.
According to the police chief, Enriquez worked as a part-time instructor and previously served as barangay secretary. He was also the campaign manager of a barangay leader in Poblacion and actively volunteered in church activities.
A religious leader was killed and a tribal member was wounded in an ambush in Barangay Rizal, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on Friday afternoon, July 31.
Police identified the fatality as Pastor Balvino Andaya, 61, a leader of the Risen Christ Community Church, and the wounded as Avelino Cajandig, 59, a member of the Banwaon Manobo Talaandig Tribal Council (BAMATA-TC).
Investigation said the victims were traveling aboard a Mitsubishi Montero Sport from Barangay Del Monte, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur when two unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects opened fire at their vehicle.
The Sports Utility Vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a roadside sari-sari store.
The Police Regional Office-13 on Monday ordered an extensive investigation of the incident and manhunt against the suspects.
A case conference was held at the San Francisco Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV where investigators presented updates on the circumstances surrounding the incident, evidence gathered, intelligence developments, and the progress of ongoing investigative and follow-up operations.
Andaya died from multiple bullet wounds. Cajandig sustained a bullet wound and being treated in an undisclosed hospital.
Recovered from the area were several fired cartridge cases and fired bullets. These pieces of evidence were submitted for forensic and ballistic examinations
PRO-13 Public Information Office chief Police Lt. Col. Jennifer S. Ometer said hot-pursuit and follow-up operations are in full swing. “Our ground personnel are in round-the-clock operation to solve this incident,” Ometer added.
Magistrado activated “Oplan: Cure” to further strengthen operational support and sustain the manhunt for the perpetrators.
“We assure the public that PRO-13 is exhausting all available investigative and intelligence resources to ensure the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible for this senseless act of violence,” Magistrado said.
“We also call on anyone with information that may aid the investigation to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station. Together, we can ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable under the law.”
Ometer said PRO-13 remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering swift, impartial, and thorough investigations while upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of every community in the Caraga region.
A 63-year-old mother was killed, and her 26-year-old daughter was wounded after they were shot by an unidentified man in Makati City, the Southern Police District (SPD) said Tuesday.
The perpetrator shot the pair near the corner of Makati Avenue and Durban Street in Barangay Poblacion early Monday night, according to the SPD.
“The victims were shot by an unidentified male suspect described as wearing a white shirt, maong shorts, and white shoes. The suspect immediately fled the area on foot after the incident,” the police said.
“At present, the identity of the suspect, the motive behind the attack, and other circumstances surrounding the incident remain under thorough investigation,” it added.
The victims were taken to the Makati Medical Center for treatment, but the mother was declared dead on arrival, the SPD noted.
The police did not identify either victim.
The SPD formed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the incident.
“The SIT is working closely with all concerned units to maximize investigative efforts and expedite the identification and arrest of the suspect,” it said.
An Indian national was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Purok Bayanihan, Barangay Villamonte here on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Police Major Joeil Reclamado, head of Police Station 4, said the victim was found lifeless near his motorcycle with head injuries.
Reclamado said the victim was on his way home when he was reportedly tailed by the suspects.
A slug and three spent cartridges of an unknown firearm were recovered in the crime scene.
Reclamado said they are conducting follow-up investigation.
The Bacolod City Police Office strongly condemned the killing and urged people with relevant information to inform authorities so that justice may be served on the victim.
A man was shot and killed near a chapel in Sitio Kimba, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, on Thursday evening, August 6, 2026, disrupting the recitation of novena prayers there.
Barangay Councilor Boboy Chan said no one was able to identify the victim, who was wearing a t-shirt, pants, and shoes.
The victim, Chan said, allegedly came from Cordova town and was riding a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi.)
“On call lang ni siya ang rider nga gisakyan sa biktima. Posible nga kaila sila daan,” Chan said.
(The rider was on call for the victim. Perhaps they knew each other.)
When they arrived near the chapel, the habal-habal driver went to a store to ask for coins in place of bills.
The victim got off the motorcycle; suddenly, an unknown assailant shot him several times, hitting different parts of his body.
Chan said that residents who were offering a novena heard several gunshots, which disrupted their religious activity.
Residents then saw the victim lying on the ground, which prompted them to stop the novena.
According to Chan, the police recovered the victim’s cellular phone, toll fee receipt, and ₱100 in cash from his pocket.
The Talisay City Police Station is still investigating the incident.
A 46-year-old man was shot multiple times by an unidentified assailant early Monday morning in Barangay Sta. Rita, in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, police said.
The shooting occurred at 5:15 a.m. in a parking area beside a Christian church, according to the Pinamalayan Municipal Police Station.
Police said the victim, a resident of Barangay Sta. Rita, had just arrived at the parking area when he was shot.
The Pinamalayan MPS received a report about the incident from a barangay official at around 5:20 a.m. Police said the identity of the suspect and the possible motive for the shooting had yet to be established.
Acting Pinamalayan police chief PLtCol Christian P. Bermudez said the police station was exerting all efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect.
A delivery rider, an e-bike driver and a retired soldier were gunned down in separate shooting incidents here over the weekend.
On Saturday, 20-year-old delivery rider Alnasar Abdihadi was found lying on the ground beside his motorcycle at Southcom Village in barangay Upper Calarian at 3:15am.
Abdihadi was a resident of the same village.
Investigation showed that the delivery rider was in Purok 2 when he was shot.
At 10pm on Saturday, an e-bike driver identified as Sabtar Mariwa was killed in Barangay Sta Barbara.
Investigators recovered eight spent shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene. Residents reported hearing a series of rapid gunshots prior to seeing Mariwa's bloodied body on the ground.
A follow-up operation conducted by Zamboanga City Police Station -14 led to the arrest of one of the suspects.
Meanwhile, a retired soldier operating a sand and gravel business was killed after being shot by still unidentified suspects while travelling along the highway of Barangay Sibulao on Friday afternoon, August 14.
The victim was identified as Edwin D. Gracias, 54, a resident of Sitio Guinuman, Tagasilay.
Investigation showed that the victim was travelling on board his dump truck when he was shot.
Four fired cartridges of a Garand rifle were found at the crime scene.
A 39-year-old man died in a shooting incident here early morning Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Police identified the fatality as a certain Paolo, who was attacked by two unidentified assailants in Barangay Sambag 2 around 2:50 a.m.
Police said the victim was smoking a cigarette by the road when two men on a motocycle arrived. The backrider got off the motorcycle and approached the victim.
After seeing that the backrider was armed, Paolo ran but the assailant gave chase and was eventually able to gun him down.
The victim was declared dead when he was brought to the hospital. The assailants sped off after the attack.
Police said investigation is underway to possibly identify the assailants and determine the motive of the attack.
A 49‑year‑old batching plant supervisor was shot to death while drinking in front of his house Wednesday night, Aug. 19, in Purok 5, Barangay Rizal.
Police identified the victim as Elmer, an employee of Remix Batching Plant and a resident of the area.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at Divine Love Medical Center.
According to his son Emerson, Elmer was drinking with Van Allen Paul Garcia when four successive gunshots rang out.
Emerson rushed outside and saw his father lying on the ground while the gunman, wearing a hat, reloaded his firearm and fired twice more.
The suspect fled on a black motorcycle toward Barangay Calamias.
Police are investigating the killing.
An 84‑year‑old faith healer was stabbed to death while sleeping beside his wife inside their house in Don Hermino Village, Barangay 1, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Police identified the victim as Bay, also a pedicab driver.
Police Master Sgt. Henry Mangana III said two unidentified men wearing bonnets entered the couple’s home and attacked Bay with a knife while he and his 67‑year‑old wife were asleep.
The victim sustained multiple stab wounds and was declared dead at a hospital. His wife suffered minor injuries to her hand when she tried to intervene.
Investigators are looking into whether the attack was connected to Bay’s work as a faith healer or to personal grudges.
Mangana noted the victim had no police record.
Authorities said the assailants targeted only Bay.
Police have yet to identify the perpetrators, with limited information available as the victim’s wife, the lone witness, is mourning her husband’s death.
Authorities are hunting four suspects who allegedly gunned down a woman found wearing a dog tag in Antipolo City late Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The Antipolo Component City Police Station said the incident occurred around 11:55 p.m. beside Seminario Church in Barangay Inarawan.
Initial investigation showed the victim, still unidentified, was standing near the church on a dark, rainy night when four men aboard two motorcycles approached her.
For no apparent reason, police said, the suspects opened fire with firearms of undetermined caliber before fleeing in an unknown direction.
The victim was rushed to Mambugan Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Authorities said she was found wearing a dog tag inscribed with the name “Aiza.”
“The victim’s remains are subject to autopsy examination by the appropriate forensic authorities to determine the exact cause and manner of death and to assist in the ongoing investigation,” Antipolo police said in a statement.
Investigators are working to establish the motive, identify the victim, and track down the suspects.
A 55‑year‑old homeowners association (HOA) president was shot dead while the treasurer was wounded when a helmeted gunman entered their office and opened fire in Barangay 171, Bagumbong, Caloocan City, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 20.
The victims were collecting monthly payments from residents at around 3 p.m. when the gunman entered, according to a witness who was also inside.
The witness said they initially thought the man was a resident who had come to pay and waited for him to remove his helmet.
Instead, the suspect kept his helmet on, closed the office door, and opened fire on the HOA president and treasurer.
The president collapsed after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, while the wounded treasurer managed to call for help.
Yolly De Padua Misagal, VAWC officer of Barangay 171, confirmed that the HOA president was killed and the treasurer was injured and taken to a hospital for observation.
Barangay officials said the president had previously received death threats.
Misagal added that the victim’s house was also shot at after the pandemic, with three bullets reportedly fired.
The president survived that earlier attack and stayed in the province for some time before returning to Caloocan.
The gunman fled after Thursday’s shooting and remained at large as police continued to investigate the attack, including the suspect’s identity and motive.
Unidentified gunmen riding tandem on a motorbike ambushed a couple along a bridge in Pagalungan town, Maguindanao del Sur, killing the wife and seriously wounding the husband, police said.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, speaking for police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), identified the fatality as Colie Mar Fuscablo Saguta-o and her wounded husband, Orlan Turga Saguta-on, both farmers of Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.
Salanguit said the victims were on board a red Suzuki multicab vehicle heading for Pikit, Cotabato from Kidapawan City when ambushed at about 10:55 a.m. Friday, August 21, while cruising the Pagalungan bridge.
The bridge serves as the boundary of Pagalungan town in Maguindanao del Sur and Pikit, Cotabato.
The attackers’ motives and identities remained unknown as of posting.
The ambush occurred as police authorities in the region are currently implementing the election gun ban in preparation for next month’s parliamentary balloting.
A 23-year-old driver was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while driving a motorized tricycle locally known as a “payong-payong” along Diversion Road in Barangay Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Thursday night, August 20, 2026.
The killing adds to continuing concerns over gun-related violence in the region despite the strict implementation of the election gun ban, which prohibits the unauthorized carrying and use of firearms during the designated election period.
Police identified the victim as Chopin Mohammad Blah, also known as “Makoy,” a married resident of Barangay Capiton.
According to the initial investigation, Blah was driving his payong-payong through the area at around 10:40 p.m. when the unidentified assailant suddenly opened fire at him. After the shooting, the gunman immediately fled the area and escaped in an undetermined direction.
Responding police officers recovered two spent cartridge cases at the scene, which were believed to have come from a .45-caliber firearm. The recovered evidence was secured as part of the ongoing investigation and may be subjected to further examination to help establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Blah was immediately rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) in Cotabato City for emergency medical treatment. However, he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Following the incident, the victim’s wife brought his remains to Barangay Katuli, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, where his family prepared for his burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station has launched a continuing hot pursuit operation to identify and apprehend the gunman. Investigators are also working to establish the circumstances leading to the shooting and determine whether the victim had any known threats or disputes prior to the attack.
As of the latest police information, the motive remains unknown.
The shooting underscores the continuing challenge faced by authorities in preventing firearm-related crimes, particularly during periods when heightened security measures and restrictions on the movement and carrying of firearms are in effect. While the election gun ban is intended to help prevent violence and maintain public order, authorities continue to investigate how firearms are being possessed and used in criminal incidents.
Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or who has information that could help identify the assailant to coordinate with the authorities. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials said further details will be released as they become available.
A 57-year-old former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was shot dead inside his car during a fiesta in Barangay 1-A, Manapla, Negros Occidental on Sunday, August 23.
The victim was only identified by police as Mauro, a resident of Barangay 1-A, Manapla, who had a piggery business.
Police Capt. Marion Vincent Buenaflor, Manapla police chief, said the victim was with his wife who was seated in the passenger seat, when an unidentified gunman fired at the driver’s side.
The victim initially had a bullet injury to his left ear, and was declared dead in a hospital. His wife was unharmed.
Prior to the attack, Buenaflor said the shooter was seen reportedly standing at the roadside with his getaway motorcycle parked on the opposite side of the road with an unidentified driver.
Buenaflor said they could not divulge any further information for now due to the sensitivity of the case.
But, he said that they are looking into something personal as a possible motive.
The incident happened before noon on their way home.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired bullets of an unknown firearm. Investigation is ongoing.
A 55-year-old homeowners association (HOA) president was killed while the group’s treasurer was wounded after they were shot inside their office in Barangay 171, Bagumbong, Caloocan City, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 20.
The Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) reported that the victims were collecting monthly land payments from residents when a helmet-wearing man entered the office shortly after 3 p.m.
Based on the initial investigation, the suspect closed the office before shooting the HOA president and treasurer.
The president collapsed after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, while the wounded treasurer managed to seek help before the suspect fled.
The president was declared dead, while the treasurer was taken to a hospital for treatment and observation.
Authorities also learned that the slain HOA president had survived a previous shooting incident several years ago. Barangay officials said her house was fired at three times sometime after the pandemic, but she was not injured.
Following that earlier attack, the victim temporarily stayed in the province before returning to Caloocan.
As of this writing, police are investigating the motive and working to identify and locate the suspect.
Authorities are also looking into whether the latest shooting is connected to the previous attack.
Unidentified gunmen shot dead a solar panel installer in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday amid the gun ban for the Sept. 14 first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
Capt. Steffi Salanguit, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) spokesperson, identified the victim as Merham Tugis Amilol, 26, a resident of Barangay Banubo, Sultan Kudarat.
Salanguit said Amilol was one of three men installing a solar panel system in a house along the national highway in Barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat, when two men riding tandem on a motorbike arrived at 10:40 a.m.
Salanguit said one of the two suspects pulled out a pistol and shot Amilol, killing him instantly.
The attack came despite the strict implementation of the election gun ban along major highways in the Bangsamoro region.
Amilol was the 13th individual killed in a gun attack in the two Maguindanao provinces since the implementation of the gun ban, in line with historic parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim (BARMM) next month.
A 20-year-old e-bike driver was wounded after masked gunmen stormed his residence and shot him inside his bedroom in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Police identified the victim by his alias, “Chanoy,” a resident of the area who lives with his live-in partner and their two-year-old child.
According to initial police investigations and witness accounts, at least six suspects clad in black clothing and face coverings entered the three-story structure.
The intruders first went to the third floor, where they robbed a boarder of a mobile phone. Then they entered an adjacent room demanding money and phones, but left after the occupants stated they had nothing to give.
A witness identified as “Inday,” the victim’s sister-in-law, recalled that Chanoy heard aggressive knocking at his door.
“They already went ahead to the 3rd floor. Then they took the cellphone of one of our boarders."
"After going upstairs, they knocked on our door too. Then when we opened it, they asked us for our cellphones and money, but my mother, who was with me in the room, answered them, ‘We don’t have anything to give, we have nothing to do with you,’ so they immediately left."
Sensing danger, Chanoy instructed his partner not to open it and attempted to escape by leaping through a glass window onto a neighbor’s roof.
However, the suspects managed to breach the door and opened fire, hitting Chanoy in the thigh.
Five gunshots were heard during the ordeal, which occurred while the victim’s partner and toddler were inside the room.
Barangay Captain Francisco De Gracia Jr. disclosed that Chanoy had a history of local disturbances and held a prior barangay blotter record for leading troubled youth groups in the community.
“That person has long been known to be unruly and a troublemaker. He’s the leader of the youth around here.”
De Gracia added that the victim had been previously incarcerated multiple times for drug-related offenses:
“He has already been jailed before, and as far as I know, it wasn’t just once."
Police authorities in Pasil confirmed that the victim was arrested in 2024 and again in March 2026, and investigators currently point to illegal drugs as the primary motive behind the bedroom attack.
The victim remains hospitalized and is scheduled to undergo surgery for his gunshot injuries. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers are reviewing local CCTV footage to identify and track down the perpetrators.
A man settling a debt was shot dead in front of his horrified wife on Tuesday morning in Barangay Kalanganan 2 here, police said.
Col. Jibin Bongcayao, Cotabato City police director, identified the victim as Tulon Guinta Abas, a resident of Barangay Tamontaka Mother, also in this city.
Abas and his wife went to Barangay Kalanganan 2 to settle their financial obligation with a lending firm when an unidentified suspect, armed with a .45-caliber pistol, shot him in front of his wife at 8:15 a.m.
He died on the spot, while the suspect fled on a motorcycle.
The wife told police that her husband was also subjected to a gun attack on April 8 in Barangay Tamontaka Mother but survived unharmed. She said she had no idea who was behind the attack.
Abas was immediately laid to his final resting place on Tuesday afternoon in accordance with Islamic beliefs.
He was the 14th individual killed in a gun attack in the Maguindanao provinces since the implementation of the gun ban on July 16, 2026, in line with next month’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections.
A 24-year-old college student was killed while his girlfriend was wounded when they were shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman in front of their residence in Barangay Uguis here Thursday night, August 27.
Police identified the fatality as alias "Jay,” a resident of Sitio Tres, Barangay Uguis.
His girlfriend, also a college student, and a resident of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, suffered gunshot wounds in the leg and abdomen.
Police said the victims had just arrived home at around 7:30 p.m. when a 19-year-old suspect, a resident of the same barangay, allegedly approached them on a motorcycle and fired four shots from a still unknown firearm
Jay sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He and his girlfriend were rushed to a hospital in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, but he was declared dead upon arrival.
The suspect is now the subject of a hot-pursuit operation.
The Nueva Era police are continuing their investigation and awaiting the SOCO findings.
