A 55-year-old Community Volunteer Organization (CVO) member voluntarily surrendered to police after allegedly shooting a 19-year-old man multiple times during a confrontation over harvested coconuts in Barangay Calamba, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, on the afternoon of July 14, 2026.
The incident prompted the Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADNPPO) to immediately order a hot pursuit operation to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect.
According to PCOL Ruel M. Cagape, Acting Provincial Director of the ADNPPO, the victim, identified only by the alias “John,” is a 19-year-old, single, unemployed resident of Purok 8, Barangay Calamba. The alleged suspect was identified as alias “Mario,” 55, married, a member of the Community Volunteer Organization (CVO), and a resident of Purok 5 of the same barangay.
Police said the shooting occurred at around 5:30 p.m. while the victim was harvesting coconuts. An investigation conducted by the Cabadbaran Component City Police Station revealed that the victim had climbed a coconut tree and had already gathered the harvested coconuts when he was confronted by the suspect, who was reportedly assigned to guard a nearby coconut plantation.
Authorities said the confrontation escalated when the suspect allegedly fired several rounds using an improvised shotgun, striking the victim in different parts of his body.
The victim sustained nine gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to the Cabadbaran District Hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment. His current medical condition has not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Following the incident, police personnel immediately organized a hot pursuit operation to locate and apprehend the suspect. However, before the operation could be carried out, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to responding officers of the Cabadbaran Component City Police Station.
During his surrender, the suspect also turned over the improvised shotgun believed to have been used in the shooting.
Police said the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood before being placed under police custody.
Authorities have filed charges for Frustrated Murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code against the suspect.
The Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office assured the public that it remains committed to the immediate resolution of violent crimes and the strict enforcement of the law to maintain peace and order in the province.