Police are investigating jealousy as the primary motive behind a shooting that wounded two female fruit vendors in Barangay Ubalde, Davao City, on July 5, 2026, with one victim later succumbing to her injuries. The suspect remains at large as authorities conduct a manhunt.
Shooting Incident Details
The attack occurred at around 7:15 p.m. along Orchid Street near Ubalde Elementary School. According to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the victims were tending to their fruit stall when a man on a dark blue Yamaha NMAX motorcycle stopped in front of them and opened fire multiple times before fleeing.
The fatality was identified as Jemabel Macarambon, 48, while her sister-in-law, Rovegen Macarambon, 36, remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds to her shoulder and waist. Both are residents of Barangay Ubalde.
Suspect Identified as Live-in Partner
Police identified the suspect as Muslimen Raupan, Jemabel's live-in partner and stepfather of her 13-year-old son. The child witnessed the shooting and positively identified Raupan to investigators.
DCPO spokesperson Police Major Maria Teresita Gaspan said the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute. “Ang target ato is iyahang asawa, naigo lang tung iyahang igsoon nadamay. This is an isolated case, personal - arising from VAWC, family conflict, and domestic violence,” Gaspan said in a radio interview.
Jealousy and Escalation
According to Gaspan, jealousy fueled the confrontation after Jemabel allegedly damaged the suspect's motorcycle, an incident that escalated their conflict. Investigators learned the couple had been in a heated argument before the attack.
Authorities initially treated the case as a possible violation of Republic Act No. 9262, or the Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004. Following Jemabel's death, police are now preparing charges of parricide for her killing and frustrated murder for the shooting of Rovegen.
Response and Investigation
Responding police officers received a report from Central 911 at around 7:50 p.m. and proceeded to the scene, but the victims had already been transported by the Barangay Disaster Quick Reaction Team to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). Jemabel died while undergoing treatment.
Authorities have launched follow-up investigations and hot pursuit operations to locate and arrest Raupan. As of press time, the DCPO said the operation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
