Lapu-Lapu Police Intensify Hunt for Gunmen in Fatal Shooting of Customs Broker
Authorities in Lapu-Lapu City are conducting a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of a 42-year-old licensed customs broker, whose body was discovered in a quiet area of Barangay Pajac. The victim, identified as Jaylee Tayong, a resident of Barangay Yati in Liloan, was found on the evening of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in a secluded part of Sitio Bukid-bukid.
Details of the Incident and Victim's Background
The grim discovery was made by a person riding a bicycle, who spotted Tayong bleeding and immediately called for help around 8:30 p.m. Investigators believe the shooting occurred shortly before this time. Tayong, although a licensed customs broker, worked from home as a financial analyst for a company based in the Mactan Economic Processing Zone (MEPZ), adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Robbery Ruled Out as Motive in Police Update
In a press briefing held on Thursday, February 5, Police Captain Edcel Petecio, spokesperson for the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), provided a significant update: robbery has been definitively ruled out as a motive for the crime. Tayong's motorcycle and personal belongings were all left untouched at the scene, with his motorcycle parked just two to three meters away from his body. This detail suggests he had already dismounted before the attack, pointing to a targeted assault rather than a random act of theft.
Search for Witnesses and Forensic Evidence
While neighbors reported hearing two gunshots, forensic examination revealed that Tayong sustained four gunshot wounds. Police are currently analyzing whether these resulted from four separate shots or if some bullets passed through his body. The area where the shooting took place is sparsely populated, with the nearest houses located approximately 15 to 20 meters away. Due to the quiet nature of the neighborhood at the time, no eyewitnesses have come forward yet, complicating the investigation.
Police Efforts to Track Suspects and Motive
The LCPO is actively backtracking CCTV footage from nearby streets to trace the movements of the gunmen after the shooting. The City Intelligence Unit is collaborating with LCPO Station 2 to uncover why Tayong was specifically targeted and to identify those responsible. As the probe continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could shed light on this case, urging community members to come forward to help achieve justice for the Tayong family and bring clarity to this disturbing incident.
