By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Police in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, have launched a round-the-clock investigation into the fatal shooting of a mining contractor manager and vocal pro-Duterte vlogger on Sunday morning, October 4.
The victim, Philip Morales Engbino, 48, a married native of Minglanilla, Cebu, was the manager of EZMMI GenCon, a major contractor for Strong Group Mining Corp. (SGMC).
Engbino was driving a company-owned white Dongfeng pickup truck when unidentified assailants ambushed and shot him at around 6:00 a.m. Responding personnel observed bullet holes penetrating the driver-side windshield of the vehicle.
While initial online reports had placed the incident along the national highway in Barangay Bacolod, Carrascal Chief of Police Major Elmar R. Claret issued an official statement to the community clarifying that the shooting occurred in Barangay Saca.
Company records showed that the pickup truck driven by Engbino had left Gate 2 of the SGMC mining facility at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, roughly 13 hours prior to the ambush.
Active Police Probe
In an official public appeal, Major Claret described the incident as an “isolated case” during his 11-month tenure as chief of police and assured residents that Carrascal remains secure.
“Our team, along with provincial forensic experts, is working round-the-clock to resolve this case and bring those responsible to justice,” Claret stated, adding that police visibility, patrols, and checkpoints have been augmented across key areas.
Authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant, avoid traveling alone in remote areas late at night, and report any suspicious movements or relevant leads to help identify the perpetrators and establish a motive.
Final Provocative Vlog
Engbino was well known on social media for his staunch political commentary supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Just a day before the shooting, on October 3, Engbino posted a heated Cebuano-language vlog targeting former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over the latter’s exposés against the Duterte family.
In the video, Engbino claimed Trillanes would face multiple murder and homicide charges, remarking, “Asa man ni siya tago? Sa Pluto, sa Mercury? Tabla table ra ni.” (“Where will he hide from this? On Pluto, on Mercury? This is even.”)
Engbino also made aggressive remarks in the clip, warning of violence should Trillanes visit Cebu (“witik ra, di ni kita asa gikan ang bunal, kisi-kisi lage ni”). The video was widely circulated among Duterte supporters and fellow commentators shortly before his death.
Investigators have not yet established whether the killing was connected to his provocative online political commentary, his operational role in the mining company, or other personal matters.
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