Cops now have person of interest in shooting incident in R. Castillo

THE police now have a person of interest in the latest shooting incident along R.Castillo, Davao City involving an ex-army.

“Subay sa atong imbestigasyon, naa nay person of interest nga gina-reveal ang pamilya (Based on our investigation, the family have revealed a person of interest),” PMaj. Antonio Luy, station commander of Bajada Police Station of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said during his interview on Davao City Disaster Radion on May 19, 2023.

“Dili pa namo ma-divulge ang person of interest niani kay ang pamilya naa pa sa panahon nga dili pa gyud ready makiglingkod sa atoang press conference (We cannot divulge it yet and the family is not yet ready to face us for a press conference),” he added.

On May 17, 2023, a shooting incident transpired along Lakandula St. corner Jerome Extension Brgy. R. Castillo Agdao, Davao City at 9:42 p.m. The victim was identified as Gerardo Sardan Katigbak, 36 years old, male, married, ex-army, and resident of Mutual Homes Buhangin, Davao City.

Luy said an investigation is ongoing and they are currently in the process of acquiring the recorded CCTV footage.

According to the spot report provided by the DCPO, the victim was seen inside his sari-sari store with his live-in partner and helper before the incident.

The police said an unidentified man – wearing a full-face helmet, gray jacket, maong pants – suddenly appeared and shot the victim at close range three times, hitting his head, which resulted in his “instantaneous death.”

The suspect was immediately able to flee the crime scene after boarding a “raider motorcycle” driven by another person. According to witnesses, there were two other men with them on a separate motorcycle. This pair served as a lookout.

DCPO said in the crime scene, their team recovered several pieces of evidence – three pieces of fired cartridge cases believed to be caliber .45 pistol. These are now under the custody of Davao City Forensic Unit for ballistics examination.

Luy also said that they discovered that the victim had survived an ambush incident in 2022.

Since then, the victim’s wife and live-in partner said the victim has been receiving death threats.

DCPO said the motive of the killing has yet to be determined. The police are currently conducting “a manhunt dragnet operation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects.” /