COTABATO CITY — A heated personal dispute over an unpaid debt turned deadly on Tuesday night, October 22, 2025, after a 37-year-old man was shot and killed in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Malagapas, Cotabato City.
The victim was identified as George Masukat Montak, a resident of Purok Balabaran, Phase 1, Malagapas. Based on the investigation by the Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO), Montak was washing his green multicab (Plate No. MAN 7771) outside his home around 8:20 PM when the suspect, identified as Benjie Dagadas, alias “Kilay,” suddenly appeared and fired multiple shots at him using a caliber .45 pistol.
Montak was hit in the left ear and died instantly. The suspect immediately fled the area aboard a red Honda XRM 110 motorcycle heading toward Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Recovered at the scene were several empty shells and slugs from a caliber .45 firearm.
According to Police Station 2 Commander PCPT Anuar M. Mambatao, his team quickly responded to the report and initiated a pursuit operation against the suspect. The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) also processed the crime scene and gathered pieces of evidence to support the ongoing investigation.
CCPO City Director PCOL Jibin M. Bongcayao assured the public that a manhunt operation is underway and urged anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to coordinate with authorities.
The remains of Montak were later transported by relatives to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Police believe that the shooting was motivated by a personal grudge stemming from an unpaid debt, adding another case of violence linked to private conflict in the city.