CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The brutal daylight murder of a young lawyer and anti-corruption crusader, Niruh Kyle D. Antatico, has sparked outrage and grief across Northern Mindanao. Antatico, a former legal officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, was gunned down by riding-in-tandem assailants while driving his vehicle near Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag on Friday morning.

According to initial reports, Antatico’s car crashed into a truck after the gunmen fired multiple shots, instantly killing him. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered several spent shells from the site, confirming the attack’s precision and intent to kill.

A voice against corruption silenced

The lawyer, known among friends and colleagues for his integrity and strong sense of justice, had openly spoken out against corruption in government offices, particularly in agencies handling farmer subsidies and infrastructure projects.

In one of his last social media posts, Antatico lamented how he had been reassigned and eventually forced to leave his job after exposing alleged anomalies within the bureaucracy.

“I did not renew my contract and it’s so nice to hear that many people see the office in a bad light. I was only against the oppressively corrupt, not the office itself,” he wrote, adding that he had received warnings to stop his criticisms—or resign.

Antatico also revealed in another post that subsidies intended for farmers were being pocketed, and government projects were being implemented without proper surveys, resulting in substandard outputs and overpricing.

“Even subsidies for farmers, you steal—and then collude to defend those responsible! In order to silence me, you reassigned me. But the overpricing is so blatant. You can’t even deny it because you’re afraid to be exposed,” he said.

“A hero who died standing for what is right”

Friends and fellow advocates are now calling for justice, describing Antatico as a modern-day hero who paid the ultimate price for exposing corruption.

“The country must know—one man has offered his life to expose ghost projects, this time not in the DPWH but in the National Irrigation Administration (NIA),” a fellow lawyer posted.

“He received threats when he exposed anomalies in his workplace, yet he did not remain silent. He died young, like our heroes Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. If there is still hope in our country, we must condemn this killing and find justice.”

Antatico’s father confirmed that his son had been receiving death threats before the attack, deepening suspicions that his assassination was work-related.

Calls for justice and accountability

Civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and members of the legal community have strongly condemned the murder, urging authorities to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators and masterminds to justice.

“This is not just an attack on one man—it is an attack on every Filipino who dares to speak out against corruption,” one colleague said. “If we allow the killers to go free, we normalize impunity and bury integrity alongside him.”

Antatico, who was also active in faith-based ministries such as PSALM USTP Lay, is remembered as a man of humility, courage, and unwavering service. His friends described him as a “faithful servant of the Lord” who never sought fame or wealth but simply wanted the government to serve its people honestly.

A grieving family, a nation in shame

He leaves behind his wife Enn San, their children, and his grieving parents. Supporters are urging the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police to ensure that his killers—and those who ordered his death—are held accountable.

His killing is yet another grim reminder of the growing dangers faced by whistleblowers, reform advocates, and government lawyers who challenge entrenched corruption.

As one of his friends wrote:

“He spoke the truth when others chose silence. Now that he is gone, it is our duty to speak louder. Justice for Niruh Kyle Antatico is justice for every honest Filipino who refuses to be corrupted.”


Justice must not be delayed.
Every bullet fired at truth-tellers like Niruh Kyle Antatico wounds the very soul of this nation. Until his killers are brought to justice, corruption will continue to claim not just our money—but our best and bravest.

🕊️ Rest in power, Attorney Niruh Kyle Antatico. Your courage will not be forgotten.

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