One person died, one was arrested, and one managed to escape after a group of suspected gun-for-hire and drug pushers exchanged fire with police in Barangay Biasong, Balamban town on Sunday morning, May 17, 2026.
Victim identified as habal-habal driver
The fatality was identified as Frederick Montero Irog, a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver in the area. Irog was declared dead on arrival at Balamban District Hospital due to gunshot wounds.
Arrest and escape
Police successfully arrested the subject of a warrant of arrest, Jey-An Pacaña Durado, 27, single, a resident of the same barangay. Meanwhile, his brother Richard Pacaña Durado managed to escape.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Burlat, the encounter occurred past 9:32 a.m. Police personnel were about to go home after serving a warrant against Jey-An for qualified theft when they were suddenly fired upon by the group of the deceased. Authorities were forced to return fire, resulting in Irog being hit.
Warrant details
The warrant of arrest against Jey-An was issued by Judge Hazel Miranda-Caraballe of the Toledo City court on May 6, 2026, with a recommended bail of PHP 40,000.
Recovered items
Recovered from Irog's position were a .45 caliber pistol with three live ammunition and an estimated 10 grams of suspected shabu (methamphetamine) worth PHP 68,000.
Colonel Burlat revealed that Irog was allegedly a follower of a certain Ratchil Artajo, a suspect who also exchanged gunfire with police last week.
Modus operandi
The official added that the suspects were posing as habal-habal drivers but were actually involved in gun-for-hire and illegal drug selling.
In an interview with Police Captain John Kennedy Pajantoy, it was learned that Irog's firearm came from a certain Marnel Pacaña Mercader alias Manman. According to alias Manman, Irog bought the gun for PHP 11,000 but had only paid PHP 6,000 initially.
Previous records
Police and barangay officials confirmed that the suspects, including the deceased, had previous cases of illegal drugs and were known as drug surrenderers in their area.
The arrested suspect is currently detained at the Balamban Police Station while a manhunt operation continues for the escaped suspect.
