BUUG, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — A 32-year-old businessman was shot dead outside his home after being attacked by an unidentified gunman along San Carlos Street, Purok 21, Barangay Poblacion, around 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2025.
The victim was identified as Cypress Elijah Batario Gonzaga, married, and a resident of the area. According to police reports, Gonzaga was standing in front of his house when a pink MIO motorcycle stopped near him. The driver — a lone suspect wearing a hooded yellow jacket — immediately opened fire, hitting the victim in the head with what investigators confirmed to be a caliber .45 pistol.
After the shooting, the suspect fled toward the Poblacion town proper.
Responding personnel from the Buug Municipal Police Station (MPS), led by PCPT Maridel A. Balis, OIC, and Duty Investigator PSMS Eliezer L. Tejana, arrived to find Gonzaga lying on the ground, bloodied and unresponsive. He was rushed to St. John General Hospital, but was declared dead shortly after.
Initial reports gathered by Sibugay-based sources also revealed that attempts were made to transfer the victim to Zamboanga City for further medical intervention, but he did not survive the trip.
Police recovered two spent shells from a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.
The Buug MPS has launched a hot pursuit operation and is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the suspect and determine the motive behind the attack. Coordination with the ZSBPPO PFU SOCO is ongoing for detailed crime scene processing.
Authorities are urging the public to report any information that may help speed up the arrest of the assailant.