LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — A 43-year-old rubber plantation caretaker was arrested on Thursday, July 2, after allegedly shooting and killing a man during a confrontation inside a rubber plantation in Barangay Cabobo, Lamitan City.
According to the Lamitan City Police Station (CPS), authorities received a report at around 9:00 a.m. from a resident informing them of a shooting incident in Purok 1, Barangay Cabobo. Police personnel led by the deputy chief of police immediately responded to the scene to verify the report and launch an investigation.
Initial police findings identified the victim as Floren Mark Mangubat Cuevas, also known as “Bulot,” who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators said the suspect, who serves as the caretaker of the rubber plantation, was taking a bath outside his residence when the victim allegedly approached him while armed with a wooden club and attempted to strike him.
To evade the alleged attack, the suspect reportedly ran inside his house, retrieved a Garand Springfield rifle, and fired a single shot that struck Cuevas in the head. The victim died instantly from the gunshot wound.
Police said the suspect later admitted his involvement in the incident.
Authorities recovered from his possession a Garand Springfield rifle bearing Serial No. 377078, along with one magazine loaded with three live rounds of ammunition.
The responding officers informed the suspect of his constitutional rights in a language he understood before conducting an inventory of the seized firearm and ammunition in accordance with police procedures. The evidence was later turned over to the investigator-on-case for proper disposition.
Following the arrest, the suspect was brought to the Lamitan City Police Station for documentation and custodial procedures.
Meanwhile, the victim’s body was transported to the Lamitan District Hospital for a post-mortem examination before being released to his family for funeral and burial arrangements.
Police have prepared criminal complaints for Murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code and for violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Lamitan.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.