A former drug surrenderer was shot dead in broad daylight by two still unidentified gunmen in a suspected drug-related killing in Barangay Agriculture, Midsayap on Friday afternoon, May 15, 2026.
The victim was identified by police as Feliciano O. Babiera, an unemployed resident of Barangay Kiwanan, Midsayap, Cotabato. Authorities said Babiera was killed in a shooting incident that occurred around 1:30 p.m. in Sitio Bobonao, Purok Gumamela.
Based on the initial investigation conducted by the Philippine National Police, the victim was onboard his black Honda Click motorcycle without a license plate when he was approached by two unidentified suspects riding a black Bajaj motorcycle.
Investigators said the suspects first engaged the victim in a brief conversation and alleged transaction before suddenly opening fire on him multiple times. Babiera sustained several gunshot wounds that caused his instantaneous death.
Police responding to the incident found the victim lying lifeless on the grassy roadside moments after the attack.
Authorities recovered from the crime scene a fired cartridge case believed to be from a caliber .45 pistol. Recovered from the victim’s hand was also a sachet of Nescafe stick containing two pieces of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
Witnesses told investigators that the motorcycle driver was wearing a black jacket, while the back rider, believed to be the gunman, was wearing a yellow t-shirt during the attack.
Initial police findings pointed to the possibility that the killing was connected to an illegal drug transaction. Reports also indicated that the victim was a former drug surrenderer.
After carrying out the attack, the suspects immediately fled toward the direction of Malingao in the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Midsayap Municipal Police Station immediately launched a flash alarm operation and coordinated with nearby police stations to intercept the fleeing suspects.
Hot pursuit operations and follow-up investigations are ongoing to establish the identities of the assailants and secure their immediate arrest.
Police authorities urged the public to cooperate and report any information that may help solve the crime to the nearest police station.