ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY (May 4) — A Department of Education official was shot dead in a brazen evening attack in Alicia town, underscoring persistent concerns over gun violence and the continued threat of motorcycle-riding assailants in the region.
Police identified the victim as Rey Dalaota Camaingking, 45, a district supervisor under the Department of Education.
According to the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, Camaingking was walking near Guicam Port in Sitio Guicam, Barangay Dawa-Dawa, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, around 7:20 p.m. when two gunmen approached and shot him in the head using a .45-caliber pistol.
The attackers fled immediately on a motorcycle toward Barangay Kawayan, reviving a familiar pattern in unresolved killings across parts of Mindanao—swift, targeted, and difficult to trace.
Motive unclear, questions remain
Authorities have yet to establish the motive behind the killing, and no suspects have been identified as of writing.
Police say a manhunt is ongoing, with nearby units placed on alert. But for many residents, such assurances have become routine in the aftermath of similar attacks, where cases often remain unsolved.
A recurring pattern
The use of “riding-in-tandem” gunmen—assailants on motorcycles—has long been associated with targeted killings in various parts of the country, raising concerns over enforcement gaps, firearm access, and the safety of public servants.
The killing of a school official also raises alarm within the education sector, where field personnel often work in remote or less-secured areas.
Beyond the incident
As the investigation continues, the case highlights broader issues: the vulnerability of government workers on the ground, the persistence of gun-for-hire style attacks, and the challenge of securing justice in areas where witnesses are few and suspects vanish quickly.
For now, Camaingking’s killing adds to a growing list of cases that test not only police response—but public confidence in safety and accountability.
