GINGOOG CITY, Misamis Oriental — Police authorities have intensified their investigation and pursuit operations after a 63-year-old security guard was shot while on duty inside the premises of Gingoog Christian College in Barangay 23, Gingoog City, on August 14, 2026.
The Gingoog City Police Station received a report from a concerned citizen at around 4:00 p.m., shortly after the shooting. Responding police officers proceeded to the school and found bloodstains inside the guard house, where the victim had reportedly been stationed while performing his duties. Initial police investigation showed that a male suspect wearing a black-and-red long-sleeved shirt approached the guard house and fired a single shot at the security guard using a short firearm. After the shooting, the suspect reportedly fled the area and boarded a red RUSI motorcycle driven by another unidentified person who had been waiting outside the school. The motorcycle was last seen traveling south.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He was initially brought to Lipunan Hospital in Gingoog City for emergency treatment and was subsequently advised to be transferred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City for further medical attention. In a separate official statement, Gingoog Christian College confirmed that the shooting occurred within the vicinity of the school at approximately 3:54 p.m. and said its security personnel remained confined in a hospital under medical observation and care. The school stressed that, as of its statement, no official declaration of death had been issued by the attending hospital or medical authorities.
Following the incident, personnel of the Gingoog City Police Station, led by Chief of Police PLTCOL Dennis Gamolo de los Santos, and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office, led by Force Commander PLTCOL Cecelio Quevedo Orcullo, immediately launched a hot pursuit operation aimed at locating the suspected gunman and identifying his alleged accomplice. Personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Unit, under PMAJ Joseph Hasigan, also joined the effort, while police units from Claveria, Magsaysay, and Medina established checkpoints and conducted pursuit operations in an effort to intercept the fleeing suspects.
The crime scene was secured and processed with assistance from the Provincial Forensic Unit 10. Police said one alleged fired bullet and one alleged fired cartridge case, both reportedly of .45 caliber, were recovered from the area. Investigators are also examining available evidence, including CCTV footage that captured the incident, which authorities hope will help establish the identities of the individuals involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office Provincial Director PCOL Al M. Abanales assured the public that police units are pursuing all available leads and evidence to identify and apprehend those responsible. He appealed to anyone who may recognize the suspect seen in the CCTV footage or possess information about the incident to report it to authorities, stressing that even seemingly minor information could assist investigators in resolving the case.
At the same time, Abanales and the school administration urged the public to refrain from spreading speculation and unverified reports, particularly claims concerning the victim’s condition. Gingoog Christian College said it is fully cooperating with authorities and appealed to the public to rely only on verified information from the school, police, hospital, or the victim’s family. The college also condemned the violence and expressed support for the injured security guard and his family.
Police authorities encouraged anyone with information regarding the identities or whereabouts of the suspects to contact the Gingoog City Police Station through 0998-598-6945 or 0927-416-5051, the MORPPO Provincial Headquarters through 0917-771-4068, or the nearest police station. Authorities said information provided will be treated with appropriate confidentiality as the investigation and pursuit operations continue.