A Purok Chairman was shot dead while his wife sustained gunshot wounds in a brazen attack in Barangay Aglayan, Malaybalay City on the night of December 22, 2025—an incident allegedly linked to a long-standing land dispute.
Richard Calo Rama, 48, Purok-4A Chairman, and his 41-year-old wife, Trexie Mae Del Campo Regacho, were on their motorcycle around 9:20 PM along Sayre Highway when an unidentified assailant reportedly trailed them before opening fire. Rama was struck three times, resulting in his death, while his wife sustained injuries from bullets that passed through her husband.
Rama was declared dead on arrival at the local health center, while his wife was rushed to the hospital and is now in stable condition.
Initial police investigations suggest that the attack may have stemmed from a dispute over land. Michael Rama, Richard’s older brother, told Juander Radyo Malaybalay that the family had been involved in a long-standing conflict over land intended for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) program. “I am 100 percent certain that the conflict over our land led to this attack,” he said.
According to witnesses, the couple had just assisted in a basketball event at the Barangay Covered Court for the 2nd Binake Festival before being ambushed on their way home. After the shooting, the suspect fled in an unknown direction.
Barangay Kagawad Peter John Pepito confirmed the identities of the victims and appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities. Police have already summoned the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to determine the type of firearm used in the attack.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive and are urging anyone with information about the assailant to come forward.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Purok-4A, highlighting the dangers local leaders face in the area, particularly over land disputes and community conflicts.