BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — A man identified only by the alias “Sadam” was shot dead inside a residence in Purok 5B, Barangay Baan Riverside, Butuan City, at around 4:00 p.m. on October 5, 2026, in an incident that has prompted an ongoing police investigation.
According to Police Major Arimao, chief of the Butuan City Police Station 1, the victim was a taho vendor who had reportedly gone to the area to collect a debt. Police said a list of people who allegedly owed him money was found in his possession.
Witnesses reportedly heard gunshots coming from inside the residence of Marites Peñola. The victim was subsequently found dead at the scene.
Initial police information identified the victim as a resident of Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City, with reports also indicating that he was originally from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Authorities have yet to release additional details regarding his identity pending further verification.
The alleged gunman remains unidentified. Police said the shooter was wearing a full-face helmet and a black jacket, making identification more difficult. Investigators are now working to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting and determine the motive behind the killing.
Barangay Baan Riverside Captain Yuliza Corvera also raised concerns over alleged illegal drug activity in the area, describing the location as a suspected drug den area and saying that illegal drugs have reportedly become a persistent problem in the barangay. However, authorities have yet to establish whether the reported drug activity was directly connected to the shooting.
The killing in Baan Riverside came amid another shooting incident reported later at the Langihan Fish Landing in Barangay Holy Redeemer, where another man was reportedly shot and brought to Butuan Medical Center for medical treatment. The two incidents are being treated as separate cases unless investigators establish a connection.
Police investigators from Butuan City Police Station 1 are continuing efforts to identify and locate the gunman. Authorities are also expected to examine witness accounts and other available evidence to determine what happened before, during and after the shooting.
Police have urged anyone with information that could help identify the suspect or clarify the circumstances of the killing to coordinate with the authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected as police verify the victim’s identity, establish the motive and pursue the person responsible for the shooting.