DAVAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — A 38-year-old fisherman was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after he was shot by a member of the Bantay Dagat in a protected marine sanctuary in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) early Tuesday morning, March 24, 2026.
The victim, identified as Mark Lester Quilaton Bustamante, a resident of Sitio Kabukiran, Barangay Miranda in Babak District, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the left side of his chest.
Police identified the suspect as Desiderio Barcelona Reyes, also known as “Bering,” a Bantay Dagat member and security personnel from Barangay Tagpopongan, also in Babak District. Reyes remains at large as authorities continue their manhunt operations.
According to a report from the Babak Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 5:24 a.m. within the sanctuary area along the boundary of Barangays Balet and Tagpopongan — a designated no-fishing zone.
Initial investigation revealed that as early as midnight, Bustamante and three other companions had been fishing in the prohibited waters. While at sea, they were allegedly fired upon by the suspect from an estimated distance of 100 meters.
Bustamante was hit in the chest, causing a critical injury. Despite efforts to rush him to a nearby hospital, attending physician Dr. Edwin L. Banquerigo Jr. declared him dead on arrival.
Authorities disclosed that Bustamante had a prior record of illegal fishing and had reportedly been warned multiple times by Bantay Dagat personnel for entering restricted fishing areas. However, investigators emphasized that a thorough probe is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper protocols were observed by the suspect.
The Philippine National Police has launched a hot pursuit operation to apprehend Reyes, who fled after the incident.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities continue to gather evidence and testimonies to establish accountability and clarify the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting.
The incident has raised concerns over the enforcement of marine protection laws and the use of force by community-based maritime security personnel in dealing with violations within protected waters.