CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — A 47-year-old businesswoman known in her community for her generosity and kindness was shot dead in broad daylight on Monday morning after two unidentified assailants opened fire on her while she was tending her neighborhood store in Barangay Calamba, leaving residents in shock and authorities searching for answers.
The victim was identified by police as Jalyn Pioco, also known by her alias “Merlinda,” and affectionately called “Ate Gaga” by residents of Purok 10. She was a resident of Purok 10, Barangay Calamba, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
According to the Cabadbaran City Police Station, the fatal shooting occurred at around 10:47 a.m. yesterday July 20, 2026 in Purok 10-A, Barangay Calamba.
Gunmen Wearing Blue Raincoats
Initial police investigation revealed that two unidentified male suspects, both wearing blue raincoats, arrived riding a black Skygo motorcycle without a license plate.
The suspects allegedly approached the victim and shot her multiple times before immediately fleeing the scene.
Responding police officers found Pioco lying near her store with three gunshot wounds, including injuries to her body and head. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Authorities have yet to determine the caliber of the firearm used in the attack as forensic investigators continue processing the crime scene.
Community Mourns “Ate Gaga”
News of Pioco’s killing quickly spread across Barangay Calamba, where many residents expressed grief and disbelief over the violent death of someone they described as a compassionate and approachable member of the community.
Known by many as “Ate Gaga,” Pioco had earned a reputation for being kind-hearted, generous, and always willing to help neighbors in need. Her sudden death has left residents struggling to understand why she became the target of such a brazen attack.
Friends and neighbors said they could not immediately think of any conflict that would have led to her killing, fueling widespread speculation about the motive behind the crime.
Motive Still Unknown
As of this writing, police have not established a motive for the killing. Investigators are pursuing all possible angles, including personal, business, and other potential motives, while reviewing available evidence and seeking witnesses who may have seen the suspects before or after the attack.
Authorities are also working to identify the motorcycle used in the escape and determine whether the assailants had conducted surveillance on the victim prior to the shooting.
Investigation Continues
The Cabadbaran City Police has launched an intensive investigation and appealed to the public for any information that could help identify the perpetrators.
Residents with knowledge about the incident or the identities of the suspects are encouraged to coordinate with the nearest police station, assuring that all information will be treated with confidentiality.
The brutal daylight killing has once again raised concerns over gun violence in the province, as authorities race to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide answers to the victim’s grieving family and the community that fondly remembered her as “Ate Gaga.”