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 man was shot dead yesterday night around 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Sitio Pajo, Brgy. Cansaga, Consolacion, Cebu.
The victim was identified as Alfredo Perater Lumactod, 42 year-old resident of Sitio Pajo.
The suspect remains unidentified for now.
Authorities said that around 9:30 p.m., one concerned citizen reported a shooting incident on Sitio Pajo. When the authorities already arrived, Alfredo was already found dead on the ground. The suspect fled the scene before the police arrived.
Nobody witnessed the shooting incident. SOCO personnel has already been requested by the authorities to process the incident and find the potential suspects, allowing the authorities to find motives behind the shooting.
As of this time, both the SOCO and the authorities are still investigating the incident further, trying to link potential suspects.
An 11-month-old infant was killed and two others were wounded after two unidentified gunmen opened fire at an eatery in Laguna, the Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO 4A) said.
The incident took place at around 7:44 p.m. on Friday in Barangay Gregorio, San Pablo City, according to a police report from PRO 4A released Saturday.
“According to a witness, while the victims were eating dinner inside a paresan (eatery), the first suspect entered and, without apparent reason, shot the victims multiple times,” the report said.
The witness was a 37-year-old female helper.
“The suspect fled aboard an unidentified motorcycle driven by the second suspect toward Maharlika Highway, bringing the weapon used,” it added.
The 11-month-old baby sustained a gunshot wound to her left mid-axillary line, with the bullet exiting her right scapular area, police said.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old female pares vendor was hit in the right shoulder and right arm, while a 56-year-old woman was shot in the right leg.
“All were brought to Panlalawigang Pagamutan ng Laguna (Laguna Provincial Hospital) for medical treatment, but unfortunately, the first victim was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician,” PRO 4A said.
Police said both the gunman and the motorcycle rider were wearing black jackets and black pants. The latter was also wearing a black helmet.
Authorities have launched a dragnet operation and are reviewing closed-circuit television footage and interviewing witnesses.
A 46-year-old male caretaker was shot dead during a drinking spree at a home in Quezon province, the Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO 4A) said.
A police report from PRO 4A stated that the incident took place at around 7:50 p.m. on Friday in Sitio Pulo, Barangay Manggalang 1, Sariaya town.
“The victim was having a drinking spree with his friends at the terrace of the house when the unidentified suspect arrived and, without apparent reason, shot the victim several times, causing his instantaneous death,” the report said.
“The suspect fled on foot after the commission of the crime, bringing with him the weapon used,” it added.
The report did not indicate the direction in which the suspect fled.
The gunman has not yet been identified but was described as male.
Police have begun reviewing closed-circuit television footage and interviewing witnesses to identify the suspect, and have launched a dragnet operation to catch him.
Authorities have launched a citywide manhunt for two gunmen who shot and killed a civil engineer and injured his wife during a Wednesday morning gun attack inside Doña Lourdes Subdivision.
Lt. Col. Peter Pinalgan Jr., city police director, said thnvictim of the Koronadal gun nattack, engineer Kezzie Junsan was pronounced dead at a hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds. His wife, Maria, sustained minor injuries and is being treated at the same hospital.
Pinalgan condemned the attack, saying an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators.
“We have widened the scope of our pursuit operation. We hope to catch the culprits soon,” he said in a radio interview.
The couple had just arrived at their second home in Doña Lourdes Subdivision, Barangay Zone 2, in their sports utility vehicle. As Junsan alighted to open the gate at 7:45 a.m., two men on a motorbike arrived. One of them opened fire on Junsan, while his wife, seated in the front passenger seat, was hit by stray bullets.
Police investigators recovered eight empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene of the Koronadal gun attack.
Two women were killed and dumped in a canal in Palauig, Zambales yesterday.
The remains of Ericha Ednalaguim and a certain Lengleng bore gunshot wounds, according to Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Central Luzon police director.
Witnesses told probers that they heard gunshots and sounds of a vehicle speeding away at around 3 a.m.
Capt. Leoven Eduagen, acting chief of the Palauig police, said the bodies were found at around 6:30 a.m. in Barangay Salaza.
Probers said five bullet shells for a .45-caliber pistol, 15 empty plastic sachets, a flashlight, jewelry and a pair of scissors were found near the cadavers.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday, August 19, issued a statement condemning in the “strongest terms” the shooting incident in Manila on Friday, August 15, that left two foreign nationals dead.
Two Japanese nationals were gunned down by riding-in-tandem assailants along Malvar Street in Manila. Reports said barangay CCTV footage showed a taxi stopping and the victims alighting, after which a commotion broke out. Bystanders fled, and the two victims were shot.
The Manila Police District (MPD) has since created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the incident.
The DOT also called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a swift and thorough investigation.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones as we call on law enforcement agencies Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to pursue a swift and thorough investigation into the incident,” the DOT said.
“Tourism, a vital pillar of livelihood for millions of Filipinos, heavily depends on creating and maintaining conditions of peace, safety, and security. We note with deep concern that recent events have already prompted advisories from foreign embassies in the country’s top visitor source markets, which could adversely affect tourist confidence and the Philippines’ image as a safe and welcoming destination,” it added.
The DOT also vowed to work with regional offices, local governments and tourism stakeholders to reinforce protective measures and reassure both local and foreign travelers.
“The DOT remains resolute in supporting all actions necessary to protect lives, preserve the country’s reputation, and ensure that the Philippines remains a premier and trusted destination for global travelers,” it concluded.
On Monday, August 18, reports said the MPD has confirmed that they are holding two persons of interest in the fatal shooting of the two foreign nationals.
In a statement, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso then commended the MPD-SITG MALVAR for what he described as a “major step toward bringing to justice the perpetrators behind the barbaric killing of two Japanese nationals in the City of Manila.”
The mayor stressed Manila is united in supporting the victims’ families.
“As a global city with deep ties to Japan and the Japanese community, the City of Manila stands in solidarity with the victims’ families and remains resolute in ensuring that justice is served,” Domagosao said.
“We will continue to work closely with the PNP and other concerned agencies to bring the full force of the law against those responsible and to safeguard the peace and order that all residents and visitors of Manila rightfully deserve,” he concluded.
Police patrols and checkpoints have been intensified here following the killing of two individuals in separate gun attacks on Monday night.
“Police investigators are still working to determine the motives and identities of the attackers involved in the two incidents, but initial information gathered indicated the attacks were related to illegal drugs,” Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, the municipal police chief, told reporters in an interview Tuesday.
In Barangay Poblacion Dalican, 33-year-old Bai Rania Guerra, a resident of Cotabato City, was walking on the sidewalk when shot by two men riding on a motorbike at about 3 p.m. and died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.
The perpetrators sped off on their motorbike in an unknown direction following the attack.
In Barangay Tamontaka, unidentified gunmen shot a 25-year-old farmer identified as Rasid Salinogan, a resident of the same village.
Madin said the victim and a companion were on board a motorcycle heading for home at about 8 p.m. when gunmen on separate motorbikes tailed them and opened fire.
Salinogan was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while his companion escaped unharmed.
Madin said police tracking teams have been formed to get the culprits behind the twin attacks.
A 41-year-old woman onboard a tricycle was shot dead in Barangay Looc, this town, on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Investigation said the suspects riding a motorcycle suddenly appeared and fired at the victim. She died on the spot.
Follow-up investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, a student was bumped and killed by a passenger bus while crossing a road in Barangay Villa Reyes, San Narciso town, Quezon province on Tuesday.
The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead from serious injuries.
The bus driver is in the custody of the San Narciso police and faces appropriate charges.
Two individuals tagged in a shooting incident in Barangay 739, Malate, Manila on Aug. 16, were successfully arrested by the Manila Police District (MPD), Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said.
Domagoso presented the suspects identified as alias Edwin and alias Hero at the city hall during a media briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
According to the MPD, the suspects shot the male victim multiple times, hitting him in the cheek and chest before escaping onboard a motorcycle.
Fortunately, he survived the ambush and positively identified Edwin and Hero as the shooters.
The police said one of the suspects was arrested in Pandacan, Manila on Aug. 18, where they recovered from him the gun used in the crime. His cohort was subsequently arrested in Antipolo, Rizal.
The authorities also recovered the motorcycle used by the suspects as their getaway vehicle that they threw below Lubiran, Bridge in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The MPD said it is still investigating the suspects' motive for the shooting.
A 59-year-old man was gunned down outside a church on Circumferential Road in Barangay Taculing here on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Police Capt. Rosalino Pugoy Jr., head of Police Station 6, identified the victim as Efren, a resident of Barangay Granada in this city.
Pugoy said that the victim had just left the church when a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) stopped nearby. An unidentified assailant disembarked and shot the victim.
The victim succumbed to bullet wounds and gunshots damaged the windshield of a parked car.
Police recovered six spent bullet casings and a metal slug of an unidentified firearm.
No other injuries were reported as church members were still engaged in an activity inside, Pugoy said.
Authorities are reviewing closed circuit television (CCTV) footage and dashcam recordings that may have captured the incident or the suspects’ vehicle.
Pugoy said that Efren was reportedly working as a driver for the church.
Police are coordinating with the victim’s children to gather more background information that could assist in the investigation.
A 58-year-old quarry contractor was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman along the national highway in Sitio Omanod, Brgy. San Francisco, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, at around 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
The victim was identified as Engr. Angelito Uy Mendoza, a resident of Brgy. Manalongon, Sta. Catalina.
He was driving his motorcycle when the suspect, also riding a motorcycle, fired at him three times with a .45-caliber pistol, hitting him in the back. Mendoza fell to the roadside along with his motorcycle, while the assailant sped off northward.
Initial investigation showed that Mendoza was last seen around 6 a.m. having coffee with a companion, Jelbert Gabay, in Brgy. Manalongon before heading to his quarry site in Brgy. San Francisco.
He was rushed to a hospital in Bayawan City and later transferred to Silliman University Medical Center in Dumaguete City, where he is now reported to be in stable condition.
Police investigators recovered one fired cartridge case of caliber .45 from the crime scene. Authorities are looking into land conflict as the possible motive, but this remains under verification.
The Sta. Catalina Police are conducting a hot pursuit operation and reviewing CCTV footage along possible escape routes, while also coordinating with intelligence units for background checks and motive validation.
