CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A man initially reported to be a retired police officer was shot by unidentified suspects inside his residence at Block 15, Lot 29, Villamar Subdivision, Barangay Iponan, around noon on October 17, 2025.
According to Barangay Iponan Captain, the victim—earlier believed to be a retired police officer—was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds. Witnesses said they heard two gunshots and saw the suspects flee aboard a gray Toyota Vios, while others escaped on motorcycles.
Police investigators from the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) later confirmed that the victim was not a retired but a dismissed police officer, previously assigned in Lanao del Sur. COCPO spokesperson Police Captain Emelita Simon revealed that the victim has a pending warrant of arrest for murder in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Recovered from the crime scene were two empty shells of caliber .45 pistol and 14 empty shells of 5.56mm rifle, suggesting that a high-powered firearm was used in the attack.
The shooting incident occurred just a few meters away from a mosque in the subdivision. Residents said it was common for the victim, identified only by the surname Dinar, a known taxi operator, to sit outside his house in the afternoons.
Police are currently conducting a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspects, who remain at large. Authorities are not disclosing the hospital location where the victim is confined for security reasons.