TUPI, South Cotabato — A 25-year-old lending company collector was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who allegedly stole his motorcycle after the attack in Purok 7, Barangay Crossing Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato, on Thursday morning, October 29, 2026.
The victim was identified by the Tupi Municipal Police Station as Bernard Verano Malig-on, a resident of Barangay Miasong, Tupi, who worked as a collector for a lending company operating in General Santos City. Initial information identified his employer as Star Lending Company, General Santos Branch, while another police-related account referred to the company as LMT Lending Services Incorporated. The discrepancy in the company identification has yet to be clarified.
Based on the initial police investigation, Malig-on was riding his white-and-blue Honda XRM motorcycle, bearing plate number M2878K, along Purok 7 when he was allegedly flagged down by a suspect identified only by the alias “Den.”
The suspect reportedly shot Malig-on in the head, causing his immediate death. After the shooting, the assailant allegedly took the victim’s motorcycle and fled toward an undetermined direction.
Authorities received information about the incident from a concerned citizen, prompting personnel of the Tupi Municipal Police Station to respond to the crime scene. Barangay Crossing Rubber Chairman Eugenio Mangilaya also confirmed the shooting and the reported theft of the victim’s motorcycle.
The South Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit was requested to conduct a crime scene investigation and process the area for possible evidence. During the forensic examination, investigators reportedly recovered one spent cartridge casing believed to be from a .45-caliber firearm, along with ₱144 in cash.
Following the incident, police launched a hot pursuit operation to locate and arrest the suspect and recover the stolen motorcycle.
As of the latest available information, the suspect remains at large, while investigators continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing, determine the motive, and identify the person responsible.
The circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear. Authorities have yet to establish whether the attack was primarily intended to steal the victim’s motorcycle or whether other motives may have been involved.
The killing raises serious concerns over the safety of field personnel, particularly lending company collectors and other workers who regularly travel through communities while carrying out collection activities. However, investigators have not yet established whether the victim was carrying out a collection transaction or had collected money at the time of the attack.
Police continue to pursue leads as the investigation progresses. The recovery of the stolen motorcycle and the arrest of the suspect remain among the immediate priorities of authorities.