Tagum City, Davao del Norte — A 36-year-old man was wounded in a shooting incident after becoming an unintended victim of a heated argument between a boardinghouse owner and a suspect reportedly claiming to be a soldier in Purok Bagong Lipunan, Barangay Magugpo West, Tagum City, in the early hours of October 15, 2026.
The victim, identified as alias “Luther,” whose name was also reported as Luther Lipasan, is a resident of Purok Yahunong, Barangay Alegira, Cateel, Davao Oriental. He was temporarily staying in Tagum City while waiting for his wife, who had been confined at a local hospital for childbirth.
According to the initial investigation of the Tagum City Police Station (TCPS), the incident stemmed from a disagreement after the suspect allegedly wanted to sleep at a rented boardinghouse where his friend was staying. The boardinghouse owner reportedly refused to allow him to do so, triggering an argument that escalated into a shooting.
PLtCol. Edgardo G. Bahan, chief of the Tagum City Police Station, said the boardinghouse owner was believed to have been the suspect’s intended target. However, the owner reportedly managed to evade the gunfire, and the victim was hit instead.
Investigators said Luther had gone outside after hearing an argument and wanted to check on his younger sibling. As he emerged from the house, a man allegedly approached him and suddenly drew a firearm. Luther subsequently discovered that his right arm had been wounded by a bullet.
The suspect immediately fled the scene in an undetermined direction following the shooting.
Police received information about the incident from a concerned citizen and promptly responded to the area. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) transported the victim to the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), where he received medical treatment.
Authorities said the suspect allegedly used a handgun of undetermined caliber. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage reportedly captured the suspect’s arrival at the scene and his departure after the incident. Investigators were able to obtain an image showing his face, which could help establish his identity and assist in locating him.
The Tagum City police are continuing their investigation and conducting hot pursuit operations to identify and apprehend the suspect. Authorities are also working to establish additional details surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s identity, whereabouts, and the circumstances that led to the shooting.
PLtCol. Bahan assured the public that the police would pursue accountability for the incident and that the person responsible would be made to answer under the law.
Police have also appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the shooting or possess information about the suspect to coordinate with authorities and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The case highlights how a dispute between two individuals can endanger innocent people, particularly those who happen to be in the vicinity when violence erupts.
The suspect’s identity and alleged military affiliation have yet to be independently established. He remains a suspect, and the allegations against him must be resolved through the appropriate legal process.