ALABEL, Sarangani Province – Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of a local terrorist group in the killing of Army reservist Julius Tibay, 45, in Barangay Tokawal last week. Tibay, an officer of the 1203 Ready Reserve Battalion, Army Reserve Command, was ambushed and killed on October 5, 2024, in what is believed to be a targeted attack.
According to intelligence gathered by authorities, the suspects involved in Tibay’s killing may be linked to the Islamic State Wilayah East Asia, a group connected to the global Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Tibay was working as a farm manager for RP-Bahrain Corp. in Barangay Domolok, Alabel, at the time of the incident.
The attack occurred at around 5:00 a.m. while Tibay was riding his motorcycle. The suspects, who were also on a motorcycle, shot him multiple times using a .45 caliber pistol, inflicting fatal wounds to his head and body. They fled the scene with Tibay’s motorcycle and his backpack, which contained a military uniform and a laptop.
Alabel Municipal Police Chief PLt. Col. Rey Delantein revealed that suspects have been identified, with one possible motive being a workplace-related dispute involving an employee who was recently dismissed from the company Tibay managed. However, authorities are also investigating whether the suspects are indeed members of the Islamic State Wilayah East Asia, as intelligence reports suggest.
The family of Julius Tibay, along with his fellow Army reservists, is calling for justice as investigations continue.
