Murder charges filed in Sagay ambush slay

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police have filed murder charges against two people tagged in the fatal ambush of an Army soldier and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on May 12, 2026.

Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson for the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said Wednesday that the criminal complaint was filed last week through regular filing.

Catalogo said the two suspects were allegedly involved in the attack that killed Cpl. Robert Dador, 48, assistant detachment commander of the Celestino Villacin CAA Patrol Base, and CAA member Jonhrey Moncatar, 26.

The victims were riding a motorcycle in civilian clothes on their way to the market when they were ambushed in Barangay Maquiling.

Catalogo said the motorcycle-riding suspects appeared to have primarily targeted Dador, while Moncatar was caught in the shooting.

He said police have yet to determine whether the suspects were hired gunmen.

Catalogo said investigators are looking into personal circumstances and family ties as possible motives but did not elaborate.

He said the investigation is ongoing to determine whether others were involved.

Earlier reports said the victims died at the scene, and Dador’s service firearm and personal belongings were left intact after the attack.

The Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion had previously said investigators were also not ruling out other angles in the attack, which occurred in Purok Kalubihan, Barangay Maquiling.