PIKIT, Cotabato — A 30-year-old vendor and family man was shot dead in a brazen daylight attack in Barangay Poblacion, Pikit, Cotabato, on June 22, 2026, adding to growing concerns over public safety and violent crime in the area.
The victim was identified as Arcelle Roy Buagas Dalogdog, a married businessman and resident of Pioneer Street, Barangay Poblacion, Pikit.
According to police reports, the fatal shooting occurred at around 12:35 p.m. near the boundary of Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Gli-gli in Ligawasan Municipality. Authorities received a report from a concerned citizen about ten minutes later, prompting the immediate deployment of police patrol and investigation teams to the scene.
Initial investigations revealed that Dalogdog was standing in front of their residence when he was approached by two unidentified armed men who suddenly opened fire. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the back and two more gunshot wounds beneath his left armpit.
Despite efforts to rush him to a nearby hospital, attending physicians declared him dead upon arrival.
Witness descriptions provided by investigators indicate that one suspect was wearing a red long-sleeved shirt and pants, while the other was dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and pants. Following the attack, the assailants fled aboard a black SYM motorcycle and escaped toward the interior portion of Barangay Gli-gli, Ligawasan, within the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Police immediately secured the crime scene, conducted CCTV tracing operations, and issued a flash alarm to neighboring police stations and municipalities in an effort to track down the perpetrators.
Authorities have yet to establish a definitive motive behind the killing. However, information circulating among residents and relatives suggests that the attack may have been linked to an alleged attempt by the assailants to take the victim’s motorcycle. This angle remains subject to official verification as the investigation continues.
The killing has sparked outrage and grief among residents, particularly after reports emerged that Dalogdog’s seven-year-old child allegedly witnessed the horrifying incident.
Family members and community residents described Dalogdog as a hardworking father, loving husband, devoted son, and responsible provider who earned a living through honest means. According to accounts shared by those close to him, he had just fetched his child from school and was on his way home when the tragedy unfolded.
The incident has also reignited concerns about fear among witnesses and bystanders. Some residents claimed that people were hesitant to assist or transport the victim immediately due to fears of retaliation from armed criminals, highlighting the climate of intimidation that continues to affect some communities.
Community leaders and concerned citizens are now calling for swift justice and the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing. Many have emphasized that violence affects all sectors of society regardless of religion, ethnicity, or social status, stressing the need for stronger community cooperation and law enforcement efforts to prevent similar incidents.
As investigators pursue leads and review available surveillance footage, the family of Arcelle Roy Dalogdog continues to seek justice for a life cut short by senseless violence.
The shooting serves as another grim reminder of the continuing threat posed by armed criminals and the urgent need for collective action from authorities and communities alike to ensure peace, security, and accountability.
Police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could help identify and arrest the suspects.