A late-evening livestream meant to document the return of a lost wallet ended in tragedy in Digos City, where Barangay Tres de Mayo chairman Oscar “Dodong” Bucol Jr. was gunned down at his home on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded in the garage of his residence as viewers watched him converse with a man who said he came to hand over the recovered item. Moments after Bucol read out the name printed on the identification card, gunfire erupted. He could be heard gasping, attempting to flee, and calling for help while still clutching his phone.
Police said the barangay official suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Two spent bullets were retrieved from the scene.
Investigators noted that a Toyota Innova had reportedly been parked near the house shortly before the shooting and quickly departed after the attack. Authorities in Davao del Sur have since formed a Special Investigation Task Group to pursue the case.
PCapt. Sheila May Pansoy, spokesperson for the provincial police, said several individuals are now being examined for possible involvement, including personalities frequently mentioned in Bucol’s outspoken commentaries. “Isa yung mga na-mention niya na personalities sa kanyang Facebook live. Yun pong mga personalities, yun din yung isa sa mga POI na ina-identify ng mga investigators natin. Yung mga pino-post niya sa Facebook is mga information yon na according sa kanya na alam niya na involved yung certain individuals sa allegedly hindi magandang gawain,” she said.
Politics is among the angles being reviewed, as Bucol had gained attention for calling out figures he accused of wrongdoing. A day before he was killed, he spoke publicly about whether he feared retaliation, responding that his concern was mostly for his family. “Akong gikabalak-an ang nerbyos sa akong pamilya. Pero sa akoa man gud, kaning mangalagad ka nga pabor sa katawhan, mobarog gyud ka kay mao man ang rason nga naa ta diri, permanente na gyud na ang kritikal sa imong kinabuhi,” he said.
He also reflected on the dangers he believed came with his advocacy. “Hagbay ra kong nakigbisog sa kriminal, murderer, kaluoy sa Diyos, buhi pa man ko. Motuo man gyud ko, kung patay ka aning adlawa, patay gyud ka aning adlawa. Kung kani akong pakigbisog para sa katungod sa katawhan maoy hinungdan sa akong kamatayon, so be it. At least dili ko malimtan sa katawhan,” he added.
Supporters later gathered outside the hospital, many shouting for justice while others wept as news of his death spread.
Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas also addressed the killing, noting that while he and Bucol had publicly clashed online, he did not wish harm upon him. “Wala koy katakus ug kinaiya sa pagbuhat niini. Ang mga issues nga iyang gipanghisgutan sa iyang mga FB Live, dili bag-o alang kanako ug dili lang siya ang naghisgot niini. Una na kining gihisgutan sa akong mga kaatbang sa politika sa mga nanglabayng elections,” he said on Facebook.
