“Magkano isang kilo?,” Killer asks meat vendor, then shoots him dead infront of wife

CABATUAN, Isabela — A 40-year-old meat vendor was shot dead while tending his stall in Barangay Calaocan, Cabatuan, Isabela, on Saturday evening, August 15, in another shooting incident involving motorcycle-riding suspects in the province.

The victim, whose identity was not disclosed by police, sustained gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen. He was rushed to a hospital by relatives but was later declared dead.

Suspect stopped to ask price of meat

Based on the initial police investigation, as reported by several local media outlets in Isabela, two men aboard a motorcycle and wearing helmets stopped at the victim’s stall.

One of the men reportedly asked the price of one kilogram of meat. After the inquiry, one of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and shot the victim.

The shooting was witnessed by the victim’s wife, who was reportedly beside him when the attack occurred.

The suspects then fled the scene aboard their motorcycle. The Cabatuan Municipal Police Station was alerted through a call from the barangay captain. Police immediately responded and documented evidence reportedly found at the scene.

By the time police arrived, the victim had already been transported to a hospital by relatives in an attempt to save his life.

Suspects fled toward Cauayan City

A manhunt operation was immediately launched by the Cabatuan police following the shooting.

According to XFM-Santiago, Cabatuan MPS chief Police Major Oniel Jay Dumayas said the assailants were seen fleeing toward Cauayan City.

The identities of the suspects and their motive remain unknown as the investigation continues. As of this writing, the suspects remain at large.

Another riding-in-tandem killing reported less than a month earlier

The Cabatuan shooting came less than a month after another killing involving motorcycle-riding gunmen was reported in nearby Echague, Isabela.

On July 17, 2026, 66-year-old barangay councilor and former village captain Lito Publico was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding gunmen at his farm resort in Barangay Malibago, Echague. He sustained five gunshot wounds and was later declared dead at a hospital.

In an interview, Echague Municipal Police Station chief PMAJ. Domer Pelo said officers immediately responded after receiving an emergency call. Patrol personnel and investigators were dispatched to Barangay Malibago to verify the incident, secure the crime scene, and begin the investigation.

“Nakatanggap po tayo ng tawag mula sa isang concerned citizen sa ating hotline. Agad po tayong nag-deploy ng ating mga patroller at imbestigador para i-verify ang insidente sa Barangay Malibago,” Pelo said.

Pelo said investigators had yet to determine the motive behind the killing. He said authorities were gathering witness statements, examining evidence recovered from the crime scene, and pursuing leads that could help identify those responsible.

“Sa ngayon, inaalam pa natin kung ano ang motibo kung bakit nangyari ito. Ongoing pa po ang ating investigation para makakuha tayo ng impormasyon at ebidensya na makakatulong sa pagtukoy sa mga posibleng perpetrators,” he said.

The police chief added that investigators from the Isabela Police Provincial Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had joined the Echague police in the investigation to expedite the identification and arrest of the suspects.

Pelo also appealed to the gunmen to surrender and cooperate with authorities.

“Nagtutulungan po ang ating mga investigators mula sa Provincial Headquarters at CIDG para matukoy ang mga perpetrators. Sana ay magsurrender na lamang sila upang matulungan din natin sila sa tamang proseso,” he added.

As of this writing, the suspects in both cases remain at large. Police are urging anyone with information that could help identify or locate the suspects to come forward and assist authorities in their investigation.