A former candidate for city council in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, was killed after being shot by motorcycle-riding suspects on Wednesday morning.
Police identified the victim as Lester Payot, a resident of Tagum City. The shooting happened past 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2026, in Barangay Magugpo East.
Authorities said Payot was inside his black pickup truck when he was attacked in front of a large school in the area.
CCTV footage captured the incident, showing two men on a motorcycle pulling alongside Payot’s vehicle moments before the shooting occurred. The suspects fled immediately after the attack.
In an interview with Brigada Tagum, Tagum City Police chief Lt. Col. Frederick Deles said Payot was rushed to the hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him, but he later died from his injuries.
Deles added that investigators recovered five empty bullet casings at the crime scene, believed to have come from the firearm used by the suspects.
Police have not yet released details on the identities of the attackers or whether arrests have been made.
The Tagum City Police are still working to establish the motive behind the killing.
Payot had been posting about politics on his Facebook account, including criticisms related to political issues. Investigators are considering this as one possible angle in the ongoing probe.
Police continue to gather evidence and review additional footage as part of their investigation.
The case remains under active investigation.
