Nephew ex-Kagawad killed in early morning attack in Marilog

DAVAO CITY (April 29) — A case of mistaken identity?

A nephew of a former barangay kagawad was shot dead by an unidentified suspect early Tuesday morning in Barangay Baganihan, Marilog District, Davao City.

Police identified the victim as Gilbert Anggob Dumayhag, a 23-year-old utility worker, resident of Purok 9, Sitio Bagong Silang. Dumayhag, was gunned down outside his residence around 5:43 a.m.

According to Police Major Raymundo Bacera Jr., chief of the Marilog Police Station, neighbors reported hearing gunshots fired from an unidentified firearm near the victim’s home.

Initial investigation revealed that Dumayhag sustained fatal gunshot wounds believed to have been inflicted by a 5.56mm caliber firearm.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the suspect may have mistakenly targeted Dumayhag, as the original intended victim was allegedly a confident “Ricky”, a former village Kagawad who was seen urinating outside the house when the attacker barged in.

Authorities are still pursuing leads to identify and arrest the gunman.

The incident adds to the troubling history of violence in Marilog District, an area often marred by killings linked to land disputes among tribal leaders.

Every death involving a land dispute, an M-16 rifle is featured, but until now, authorities have yet to determine who owns the firearm and who is behind each incident.

Over the years, Marilog District, popularly known as the “Little Baguio of Davao” due to its cool climate, has been a hotspot for land conflicts. Speculative buyers and rival claimants have fueled tensions by exploiting divisions within indigenous communities.

Some elders and tribal members have reportedly been pitted against each other over ancestral lands, many of which are still classified as government-owned.

Police have yet to determine if Dumayhag’s killing is related to the ongoing land disputes in the area.

Investigation into the case is ongoing.