DAVAO CITY (May 26) – A businesswoman was shot dead by a police corporal inside a parked vehicle along Palma Gil Street, Barangay 13-B, Davao City, at around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
According to the initial police report, a witness, who declined to be identified, heard two successive gunshots from a black pickup truck parked in front of a restaurant. Moments later, a man wearing dark clothing, jeans, and a cap calmly walked away from the scene. A wounded woman then exited the vehicle, bleeding and calling for help.
Responding officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrived aboard two patrol cars and rushed the victim to a private hospital. She was later transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), where she was declared dead on arrival.
The victim, a 39-year-old businesswoman from Barangay Angliongto, Davao City, was identified only by her alias, “Dianna. “
During the follow-up investigation, authorities identified the suspect as a Police Corporal assigned to Ecoland Police Station 15. Forensic investigators from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered two empty shell casings from a 9mm pistol at the crime scene, which will undergo ballistic testing.
According to investigators from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the suspect, who is married, was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with the victim. Sources close to the case revealed that the two had been seen together frequently in public and reportedly had a falling-out over personal matters. Police are also looking into messages and call logs that may shed light on the motive behind the incident.
At around 5:00 a.m. today, May 26, the suspect, Police Corporal Marvin Perez, was taken into custody by the Davao City Police Office.
The DCPO’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit is handling the case. Administrative and criminal charges are being prepared against the officer.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.