PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A 63-year-old man was killed after being slashed in the neck during an early morning altercation in Purok Marang, Barangay Lison Valley, Pagadian City, at around 5:00 a.m. on July 31, 2026, authorities said.
Police officers immediately responded to the crime scene after receiving reports of the incident and found the victim already lifeless with a fatal wound to the neck.
Initial investigation by the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) identified the suspect as a farmer and fellow resident of the same barangay.
According to investigators, the victim was reportedly suffering from a mental health condition and allegedly attempted to set fire to a pile of firewood owned by a barangay official. The suspect reportedly intervened in an effort to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage.
However, police said the situation quickly escalated when the victim allegedly attacked the suspect with a bladed weapon. The suspect reportedly managed to evade the assault before retaliating with a single slash to the victim’s neck.
The victim sustained a fatal injury and was declared dead at the scene.
Following the incident, the suspect fled toward an unknown direction and remains at large.
Authorities have since launched a hot pursuit operation to locate and arrest the suspect. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s claim that he acted in self-defense.
The Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office has appealed to the public to immediately report any information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts to the nearest police station to facilitate his immediate arrest.
Investigators are also gathering additional evidence and witness statements to determine whether the use of force employed by the suspect was justified under the circumstances.
The incident underscores the challenges posed by confrontations involving individuals experiencing mental health issues and highlights the importance of appropriate intervention to prevent such tragic outcomes. Authorities assured the public that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted to establish the full facts of the case and ensure that justice is served.