ILIGAN CITY — A Police Chief Master Sergeant was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while attending a wake in Barangay Tipanoy late Sunday night, highlighting once again the grave dangers faced daily by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), even while off duty.
The victim was identified as Police Chief Master Sergeant Mark Hermoso, assigned to the Iligan City Mobile Force Company. Police reports said the incident occurred at around 11:00 p.m. on December 21, 2025, at Purok 9, where Hermoso was seated with a barangay kagawad when a suspect suddenly approached and opened fire. The assailant reportedly fired multiple shots—some accounts noting the use of a firearm fitted with a silencer—before fleeing the scene, possibly aboard a motorcycle.
Hermoso sustained multiple gunshot wounds to different parts of his body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital by concerned residents but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians. The Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team immediately processed the area and recovered evidence, while intelligence and operational units launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect.
The Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) confirmed the incident, with City Director Police Colonel Jerry A. Tambis expressing deep condolences to the bereaved family. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of our fallen personnel. We urge the public to remain calm and to cooperate with authorities as we continue to ensure peace and order in the city,” Tambis said, assuring that all available resources are being mobilized to solve the case.
Authorities are now looking into possible motives, reviewing nearby CCTV footage, and appealing to witnesses to come forward. Police also announced a ₱25,000 reward for information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the gunman.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the local police community, serving as a stark reminder of the constant and life-threatening risks faced by law enforcement officers. Even outside formal operations, police personnel remain targets of violence—an enduring reality of a profession that demands courage, sacrifice, and, at times, the ultimate price in the pursuit of public safety and order.