“MISTAKEN IDENTITY SORRY PO”: Police examine handwritten note in Kennon Road killing of LBP Manager

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A handwritten note bearing the words “MISTAKEN IDENTITY SORRY PO” has emerged as one of the clues being examined by police investigating the death of a Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) manager found inside a vehicle along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on September 29, 2026.

Authorities have yet to determine who wrote the note, why it was left at the scene, or whether its message is connected to the death of Julio Macario Pagat, 56, head of the LBP Benguet Lending Center.

According to reports, Pagat was found inside a white Toyota Innova parked near the boundary of Barangay Camp 3 and Twin Peaks in Tuba, with a gunshot wound to the head. A firearm was also recovered near the vehicle.

The handwritten note is being examined alongside other forensic evidence as investigators work to establish what happened to Pagat and whether another person was involved.

Other items recovered from the area included a homemade .22 Magnum revolver without a serial number, ammunition, a .45-caliber magazine, cash, mobile phones and other personal belongings.

A paraffin examination reportedly detected gunpowder residue on Pagat’s right hand. Firearms verification also showed that he was not a licensed firearm holder.

Police are examining these findings together with the other evidence but have yet to establish how the firearm came into Pagat’s possession or how the shooting occurred.

Special task group activated

The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-CAR) has intensified the investigation through the activation of the Special Investigation Task Group “Pagat.”

The task group was activated on September 30 following a request from Benguet Police Provincial Office director Col. Dionisio Bonoy. It subsequently convened with regional police officials at Banna Hall, Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Investigators have conducted forensic examinations of Pagat and the vehicle, digital examination of mobile phones, interviews with people who may have information about the incident, and a review of available CCTV footage.

Pagat’s family also consented to an autopsy and digital forensic examination of his personal cellphone and an LBP-issued cellphone assigned to him.

The forensic team conducted an X-ray examination of Pagat’s body, a 3D scan of the Toyota Innova, and an autopsy on September 30. Results of other forensic examinations are still being awaited.

The task group is also continuing interviews with Pagat’s co-workers at LBP, family, friends and relatives while investigators review CCTV footage to identify possible suspects, witnesses, movements and other relevant evidence.

Police seek dashcam footage

Authorities are also reconstructing Pagat’s movements before he was found dead.

The Tuba Municipal Police Station has appealed to motorists who traveled along Kennon Road between 7 p.m. on September 28 and 4 p.m. on September 29, particularly near the Camp 3-Twin Peaks area, to check their dashcam recordings.

Police said footage showing vehicles, persons, movements or unusual activity in the area could help establish the timeline and provide additional leads.

Pagat reportedly left his residence in Baguio City at around 7 p.m. on September 28, allegedly telling his wife that he was going to Manila to receive an award the following day.

When his colleagues could not reach him and learned that he had not arrived in Manila, his wife reported him missing at Baguio City Police Office Station 6.

Pagat was subsequently found dead inside his vehicle along Kennon Road in Tuba on September 29.

Police have yet to publicly establish the motive, the circumstances surrounding the shooting, or whether another person was involved.

The significance of the handwritten “MISTAKEN IDENTITY SORRY PO” note, as well as the recovered firearm, gunpowder-residue finding and other evidence, remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet established that the note proves Pagat was a victim of mistaken identity.

Meanwhile, motorists with relevant dashcam footage or individuals with information about the incident are urged to coordinate with authorities. Police said information and recordings provided will be treated with confidentiality and used for investigative purposes.