TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Another shooting incident rocked Tagum City after a 33-year-old man was gunned down outside a KTV bar along Ferido Street in Barangay Mankilam on Sunday afternoon, May 24, 2026.
The victim was identified by the Philippine National Police as Michael Amñon, also known as “Michael,” a resident of Purok Macopa, Barangay Visayan Village.
According to the initial investigation conducted by the Tagum City Police Station, the victim had been talking with two unidentified men inside a videoke or KTV bar before the incident occurred at around 1:48 p.m.
Police said one of the suspects allegedly challenged the victim to step outside the establishment. Moments later, as they were already outside the bar, the suspect suddenly opened fire using a suspected .45 caliber pistol, hitting the victim multiple times, including in the chest.
The assailants immediately fled the scene aboard a motorcycle driven by another suspect and escaped toward an unknown direction.
Responding investigators from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered three spent cartridge cases believed to have come from a .45 caliber firearm.
The victim was rushed to the Davao Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment. However, another police report stated that he was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors due to the severity of his gunshot wounds.
PLtCol. Edgardo G. Bahan, officer-in-charge of the Tagum City Police Station, said authorities are looking into personal grudge as one of the primary motives behind the killing.
Investigators also believe the suspects may have been acquainted with both the victim and his live-in partner, who reportedly works as a waitress at the videoke bar the victim had visited before the attack.
Police are now attempting to locate the victim’s live-in partner, who reportedly left the area after the incident, as she may provide crucial information that could help identify the gunmen.
Authorities have already launched a manhunt operation against the suspects.
The latest incident marked the third shooting case recorded in Tagum City this month. Previous incidents involved the shooting of a female businesswoman in Nueva Fuerza and a former inmate along Buaya Road, raising public concern over the series of violent attacks in the city.
Despite the recent shootings, the Tagum police assured residents that security measures remain in place and intensified anti-criminality operations continue across the city.
Police also urged the public to immediately report suspicious individuals or activities to authorities to help prevent further crimes.