Lawmakers from Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental have condemned the killing of a former employee of the National Irrigation Administration-Northern Mindanao (NIA-10) and urged agencies concerned to expedite the probe and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The victim, Niruh Kyle Antatico, was shot dead while driving his car in Barangay Patag on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Police are investigating whether the killing was connected to his alleged exposés on corruption in government projects.

Cagayan de Oro City First District Rep. Lordan Suan and Misamis Oriental Second District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Monday, October 13, filed a resolution condemning the incident and urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an urgent and thorough investigation for the swift prosecution of the perpetrators.

Suan and Emano said Antatico was known as an advocate of transparency and a crusader against graft and corruption in public service.

“In his stint in NIA, he exposed and filed complaints on the allegedly substandard and incomplete irrigation projects that merit the review of the NIA Central Office,” the resolution said.

Antatico reportedly received death threats as early as November 2024.

“Despite the harassments, roadblocks, intimidations, and threats, Mr. Antatico persevered and pursued the ideals he believed in and lived,” the resolution added.

Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is also set to file a separate resolution condemning the incident.

“The cowardly act committed by still unidentified assailants tried to silence Mr. Antatico’s pursuit of truth and accountability. In doing so, they instead amplified his voice and strengthened his cause,” Rodriguez said.

“In his death, Mr. Antatico’s courage has fueled an even louder call for justice and transparency. There is no room for violence, fear, or impunity in Cagayan de Oro City. The rule of law must prevail,” he added.

The lawmakers said the House of Representative will likely launch its own investigation into the killing and into the alleged corruption in government projects he exposed.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) said a team of detectives has been assigned to handle the case.

“We are also in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the NIA, to ensure that all possible leads are carefully examined and developed,” PRO-10 added.

PRO-10 also reported that NIA has offered a P100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible.

“We assure everyone that all information shared will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” PRO-10 said.