DAVAO CITY — A 35-year-old farmer was killed while his mother was wounded in a brazen early morning shooting believed to be linked to a land dispute in a remote village in Marilog District on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Police identified the victims as Jeric Librea, 35, who was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, and his mother, Jennifer Librea, 54, both residents of Sitio Biñan, Barangay Tamugan.
According to the police report, the victims were on their way home at around 6:40 a.m. when two armed suspects suddenly appeared and opened fire on them without warning.
Jennifer, who survived the attack and is now in stable condition, was able to identify the assailants as her own brothers-in-law. Authorities named the suspects as Lito Gallego and Jay-R Gallego.
A hot pursuit operation led to the immediate arrest of Jay-R Gallego, while Lito Gallego managed to escape and remains the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
Investigators said Jeric sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the forehead and knee, which led to his immediate death. His mother was rushed to the hospital and is currently recovering from her injuries.
Responding officers recovered five empty shells from a 9mm pistol at the crime scene, indicating the intensity of the attack.
Police are pursuing a land conflict as one of the primary motives behind the shooting, pointing to a possible escalation of a long-standing dispute between the parties involved.
Authorities assured the public that operations are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining suspect, as they continue to build a solid case for the filing of appropriate charges.
The incident underscores the persistent issue of land-related conflicts in rural communities, which, in some cases, escalate into deadly violence involving even close family members.