BUTUAN CITY — A 42-year-old married man was shot dead while fetching his wife outside a popular restaurant and near a major shopping mall in Barangay Tandang Sora, Butuan City, late in the evening of June 14, 2026.
The victim was identified by police as Jethro Abion Tagulob, a resident of Purok Sari-Sari B, Barangay Golden Ribbon, Butuan City.
According to police reports, the shooting occurred at around 10:45 p.m. outside Tuna Republic, where Tagulob had reportedly gone to pick up his wife. Investigators believe the suspects had been waiting for the victim before carrying out the attack.
Authorities identified the suspects as Jayson Teodoro Morales, 28, a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Bancasi, and John Rey Vitos, a resident of Purok 7, Barangay Bading. Morales was immediately arrested during a follow-up police operation, while Vitos managed to escape and remains the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
Initial investigation revealed that as Tagulob was about to board his motorcycle with his wife, one of the suspects approached him and briefly engaged him in conversation. Moments later, the suspect allegedly opened fire, hitting the victim multiple times.
Witnesses said the attack happened swiftly, leaving the victim with fatal gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save him, Tagulob was declared dead due to the severity of his injuries.
Police believe the suspects deliberately targeted the victim and had positioned themselves in the area before the shooting. Investigators are currently working to determine the motive behind the killing and whether the attack was connected to a personal dispute or other circumstances.
Residents and neighbors of the victim expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. They described Tagulob as a kind and respectful individual with no known conflicts in the community.
“We have nothing bad to say about him. He was a good person,” one neighbor reportedly told authorities, adding that the community was deeply saddened by his sudden death.
The victim’s remains are expected to be brought to Agusan del Sur for burial and funeral arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Butuan City Police Office continues its investigation and has intensified efforts to locate and arrest the remaining suspect. Authorities are also reviewing available evidence and witness accounts to build a stronger case against those responsible for the fatal shooting.
Police urged anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the fugitive suspect to immediately coordinate with law enforcement authorities. The case remains under active investigation.