MALAYBALAY CITY — A 31-year-old man was stabbed to death in broad daylight while on his way to play basketball for a Christmas league game in Sitio Kilap-agan, Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, on Monday afternoon, December 22, 2025.
The victim was identified as Ju-Ar Egonia, 31, who lived with his partner and was a resident of the same sitio. Police identified the suspect as Antonio, also 31, a married farmer and resident of the area. The fatal stabbing occurred at around 4:20 p.m. in Purok-1, shocking residents who were preparing for the holiday season.
Initial police investigation revealed that the suspect suddenly arrived at the scene and without warning, stabbed Egonia on the right side of the chest using a knife. After the attack, the suspect walked away, leaving the victim collapsing and bleeding heavily on the ground. Egonia later died from the stab wound.
Swift action by personnel from the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, 2nd Platoon Can-ayan Patrol Base, Barangay Public Safety Officers, and concerned citizens led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, who is now detained at the Malaybalay City Police Station. Authorities confirmed that the victim’s family is determined to file formal charges against the suspect.
Egonia’s wife, Cherly Gambota, broke down as she recounted the moments before the incident. She said her husband had only gone out to play basketball as part of their sitio’s Christmas league. Before the stabbing, he was casually talking with a former schoolmate who was fixing a motorcycle when the suspect suddenly appeared and attacked him.
She stressed that while her husband occasionally drank alcohol, he was not known to start fights and had no record of complaints at the barangay. She also shared that Egonia had been planning to return to Bohol, but she had asked him to stay. Now, she said, the family is resolute in seeking justice for his senseless death.
Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack as the community mourns the tragic loss of a man whose life was cut short on what was supposed to be a simple evening of sport and holiday camaraderie.