A 25-year-old farmer was killed after being shot during a birthday celebration in Sitio Datal Lutay, Barangay B’laan, near the boundary of Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, on May 24, 2026.
Police identified the victim as Jun Jun Sumali Piang, a married farmer and resident of the area. He sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was declared dead at the scene.
Authorities also identified the suspect as alias “Takay,” 39, likewise a farmer and resident of the same community. The suspect was later arrested after being wounded during the incident and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Based on the initial investigation conducted by the Malungon Municipal Police Station, the victim, suspect, and several companions were reportedly drinking together while attending a birthday celebration before the shooting occurred.
Investigators said the suspect temporarily left the gathering but later returned carrying an improvised homemade 12-gauge shotgun. Without clear provocation, the suspect allegedly shot Piang in the neck, killing him instantly.
Following the shooting, the suspect allegedly attempted to flee but was chased by relatives of the victim. During the pursuit, the suspect sustained injuries after reportedly being attacked with bladed weapons before authorities were able to take him into custody.
Police recovered an improvised homemade shotgun from the crime scene, which will be subjected to ballistic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are now preparing the appropriate criminal charges against the suspect.
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that a long-standing personal conflict between the victim and the suspect may have triggered the fatal shooting.