Police are investigating whether the killing of a former employee of the National irrigation Administration-Northern Mindanao (NIA-10) in Cagayan de Oro City was connected to his alleged exposés on corruption in government projects.

The victim, identified as Niruh Kyle Antatico, was shot dead while driving his car in Barangay Patag on Friday, October 10, 2025. The riding-in-tandem gunmen fled immediately.

Antatico was rushed to the hospital but died later due to severe gunshot wounds.

Investigators are looking into all possible motives behind the killing, including personal and work-related factors.

It was learned that the victim had received death threats as early as November 2024.

“Right now, we are considering all angles personal man kana work-related other nga mga motibo mao kana ang ginakonsidera nato nga anggulo ug didto kita kung asa kita itudlo sa ebidensya nga naa kanato,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

NIA-10 refused to comment out of respect for the ongoing investigation.

However, in an official statement, NIA-10 extended its sympathies to the bereaved family.

NIA-10 said it is aware of the allegations circulating involving certain NIA-10 projects in the region. The agency assured the public it is handling the matter seriously.

“The NIA top management has already initiated a comprehensive review and verification process in collaboration with relevant offices and appropriate authorities. This is not the first time such concerns have been addressed, and the agency continues to prioritize transparency and accountability in all of its projects,” NIA-10 said.

NIA-10 added that it does not tolerate any form of irregularity in the implementation of its programs and projects.

“We leave it with enforcement agencies that conduct investigation. We respectfully urge the public to avoid speculations and allow due process to take its course,” NIA-10 said.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Misamis Oriental Chapter and other civil society organizations have condemned the incident.

In a statement, IBP-Misamis Oriental has condemned the incident and expressed grave concern over Antatico’s death and the possibility that his murder may have been connected to his efforts to expose alleged wrongdoing in some government offices.

“Any attack on a person seeking accountability is an attack on the rule of law itself, and we cannot allow fear and impunity to erode the foundations of justice and public service,” IBP-Misamis Oriental said.

“We therefore call upon our law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift, impartial, and thorough investigation into this heinous crime. Authorities must pursue every lead, including the potential connection between Mr. Antatico’s exposes and his killing, and ensure that both the perpetrators and any masterminds are held fully accountable, regardless of position or influence,” IBP-Misamis Oriental added.