STA. MARIA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL — A 34-year-old laborer was killed after he was hacked in the neck with a sickle during a fiesta activity in Barangay San Roque on Monday night, December 8, 2025.
The victim was identified as Reymond Matango Limburan, married, and a resident of Cadaatan, Sta. Maria. The suspect, now under police custody, was identified as Galen Rey Limburan Luganao, 26, single, and a resident of Magatos, San Roque — also a laborer.
According to Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station OIC Police Captain Jan Reywan Abadia, the station received a call around 8:35 p.m. from ABC President and Barangay Basiawan Captain Oting Dumape reporting a hacking incident in San Roque.
Police personnel immediately responded to the scene.
Initial investigation showed that the victim was watching a barangay show as part of the fiesta celebration around 8:30 p.m. when the suspect suddenly approached him from behind and hacked the back portion of his neck using a sharp sickle, without any verbal confrontation.
Members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed the victim to Sta. Maria Medical-Clinic and Hospital (Pineda Hospital), but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Authorities quickly arrested the suspect and seized the bladed weapon used in the attack. He is now detained at the Sta. Maria MPS detention facility.
Police investigators are looking into personal grudge as the possible motive behind the attack. According to accounts, the victim had allegedly punched the suspect prior to the hacking incident.
Sta. Maria police continue to gather testimonies and evidence as they prepare to file appropriate charges against the suspect.