Zamboanga City – A retired soldier was critically wounded after he was shot while driving a sand and gravel truck along the entrance road of Barangay Sibulao on the east coast of the city at around 2 p.m. on August 14, 2026.
The victim was identified as Edwin Divinagracia, who was reportedly driving the truck when the shooting occurred.
Based on initial information from Vitali Police Station 1, Divinagracia was traveling along the road leading into Barangay Sibulao when he was fired upon. Initial accounts indicate that the assailant may have been positioned along the roadside and opened fire as the truck passed.
The circumstances of the attack have led authorities to treat the incident as an apparent ambush. However, the identity of the gunman, the motive for the shooting and the precise circumstances surrounding the attack have yet to be established by investigators.
Empty shell casings believed to have come from a rifle were recovered at the scene. Their location provides investigators with an indication of the possible position from which the shots were fired. It does not, however, independently establish the identity of the shooter or conclusively determine exactly how the attack was carried out.
Available footage from the area reportedly provides an angle showing the roadside vicinity where the shell casings were recovered. There is no confirmed video showing the shooter carrying out the attack.
Divinagracia sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. Initial information indicated that he remained in critical condition. Police had yet to release a subsequent official update on his condition as of the latest available information.
The shooting occurred in broad daylight along a road used by motorists and residents entering and leaving Barangay Sibulao.
Police investigators are expected to examine the recovered shell casings and other physical evidence, interview witnesses and review available footage as they work to reconstruct the incident and identify the person responsible.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet publicly established a motive, identified a suspect or confirmed whether the victim had any prior dispute or known conflict that could be connected to the attack.
Further information on Divinagracia’s condition and the progress of the police investigation is expected to be released once verified by authorities.