Three days after a pre-dawn shooting claimed the lives of two barangay officials in Kabacan, Cotabato, an Army corporal linked to the attack gave himself up on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and was subsequently placed under civilian police custody, the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) announced.
The Suspect and How He Surrendered
Cpl. Virgilio D. Magbiray Jr. voluntarily presented himself to the 90th Infantry (Bigkis-Lahi) Battalion, according to a statement from the 6ID. The battalion then coordinated with the Kabacan Municipal Police Station (MPS) and local authorities to arrange the formal handover.
Lt. Col. Loqui O. Marco, commanding officer of the 90th Infantry Battalion, formally presented Magbiray to BGen. Gremel B. Brual, commander of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, reporting the circumstances of the surrender for coordination and documentation, the Army said. BGen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, subsequently directed that Magbiray be turned over to the Kabacan MPS for legal proceedings.
What Happened on October 21
The military links Magbiray to a shooting that took place on October 21, 2026, in Barangay Lower Paatan, Kabacan. Police accounts reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer identified the victims as Lower Paatan village councilor Bayan Patacpan Maganaka and his brother Ibrahim Patacpan Maganaka — the barangay's cashier and bookkeeper — who were gunned down before dawn during an overnight community gathering in Purok Liwliwa. A 17-year-old companion also sustained serious gunshot wounds.
Earlier police accounts indicated to the Inquirer that the shooting followed an altercation between the councilor and a man who left the gathering and returned armed with a pistol. Following the attack, Lower Paatan Punong Barangay Abdulracid Dima suspended classes at Lower Paatan Elementary School as a precautionary measure, the Inquirer reported. Police and Army troops then launched a joint pursuit operation.
Formal Turnover and Miranda Rights
The official handover took place at the 90th Infantry Battalion headquarters on October 24 in the presence of Kabacan MPS personnel, the Army said. The pistol allegedly used in the October 21 incident was also surrendered at that time. Police read Magbiray his rights under the Miranda doctrine — including his right to remain silent and his right to counsel — before he was placed under police custody. Military-released photographs show Magbiray in handcuffs as officers completed the formal turnover of the firearm and ammunition.
Commander Cites Rule of Law
BGen. Catu stated that the law applies equally to all, regardless of rank or position, and that anyone found to have violated it must be held accountable through due process, according to the 6ID statement. He also reaffirmed the command's commitment to the rule of law and the constitutional rights of every individual.
Charges Still to Be Filed
As of October 24, neither the Army nor the police had publicly announced the specific charges Magbiray would face. Efforts to contact his family or legal counsel for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. The 6ID statement did not name the victims; victim details in this report are drawn from police accounts as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer; Philippine Army / 6th Infantry Division