A security guard in Cebu City has surrendered to authorities after allegedly shooting and killing his neighbor in a violent altercation that stemmed from a mundane household issue.
Surrender Follows a Day in Hiding
Ken Pedrera, 41, presented himself at the Abellana Police Station 2 on January 12, 2026, bringing with him the firearm he allegedly used in the crime. The incident occurred three days prior, on January 9, 2026, at around 6:50 in the morning, in Sitio Kalubihan, Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
According to the suspect's account, after the shooting, he fled the scene on his motorcycle. Fearful of retaliation from the victim's family, he hid for an entire day before deciding to turn himself in to the police.
The Dispute That Turned Deadly
Contrary to initial reports that the shooting was triggered by theft accusations, Pedrera stated the conflict originated from a quarrel over a clogged drainage system in their shared wash area (pansayan). As both parties used the common facility, they argued over who was responsible for the blockage.
The verbal clash quickly escalated. Pedrera claimed that the victim, 49-year-old Manases Torrejos Wagwag, who was his neighbor in the rented rooms, pushed him forcefully and shouted at him. Unable to control his anger, Pedrera retrieved his firearm and shot Wagwag, resulting in the victim's immediate death.
Police Investigation and Charges
Following his surrender at Abellana Police Station, Pedrera was transferred to the Guadalupe Police Station, which holds jurisdiction over the area where the crime occurred. The police are now building a case against the suspect.
Murder charges are set to be filed against Ken Pedrera. Meanwhile, the victim's body has been scheduled for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. In a parallel investigation, the firearm surrendered by the suspect will undergo ballistic examination to confirm its use in the crime.
This tragic event highlights how a simple neighborhood disagreement can spiral into fatal violence, leaving one family in mourning and another facing severe legal consequences.
