Philip Morales Engbino, a 48-year-old vlogger known for openly supporting former President Rody Duterte, was shot dead while driving along the national highway in Barangay Bacolod, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.
Engbino, a native of Minglanilla, Cebu, was also a manager of EZMMI GenCon, a contractor operating under Strong Group Mining Corporation. He had around 215,000 followers on Facebook and regularly posted political commentary supporting former Duterte and his allies. His content often challenged reports and accusations against the Duterte camp that he described as false or misleading, making him a familiar figure among pro-Duterte audiences online.
Company records reportedly showed that the white pickup truck Engbino was using left SGMC Gate 2 at around 4:35 p.m. the previous day. By around 6 a.m. the next morning, police said he was attacked while driving along the highway.
Responding officers from the Carrascal Municipal Police Station went to the scene and began investigating the shooting. Authorities are working to identify the gunman and establish what led to the attack.
Police are also examining complaints previously raised by some company employees over the termination or discontinuation of workers’ benefits. Investigators have not established those complaints as the motive and have not confirmed any connection to Engbino’s killing.
Authorities have likewise not linked his political activity or his work to the attack. Investigators are expected to review the vehicle’s movements, available surveillance footage and other evidence as they piece together Engbino’s final hours.
Engbino’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from his followers and fellow Duterte supporters, many of whom mourned him across social media. Police have yet to identify a suspect or establish a motive for the killing.
