Cop, attacker killed in violent confrontation in Cauayan City

A 30-year-old police officer was fatally stabbed by a man whom he was able to shoot and kill during a violent altercation along a roadside in Barangay Cabaruan, Cauayan City, in the early hours of Friday, October 17, 2025, police reported. INQUIRER FILES

CITY OF CAUAYAN, Isabela — A 30-year-old police officer was fatally stabbed by a man whom he was able to shoot and kill during a violent altercation along a roadside in Barangay Cabaruan, Cauayan City, in the early hours of Friday. police reported.

Police Lt. Col. Avelino Canceran, chief of the Cauayan City police, explained in a phone interview that Police Corporal Jay-ar Galabay, a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and a native of Reina Mercedes, Isabela, had been conducting covert post-event operations before the stabbing occurred.

According to investigators, Galabay and his fellow officers were on a security patrol when they encountered Jomark Molina, who was reportedly causing a disturbance in the Cabaruan area. The officers attempted to calm Molina, but he suddenly attacked Galabay, stabbing him in the armpit with a knife. Despite being seriously injured, Galabay managed to fire back at Molina, striking him multiple times.

“After being stabbed, Corporal Galabay fell to the ground but managed to fire back while in a prone position,” Canceran said.

Canceran also noted that Galabay had been assigned to the covert security team during the Miss Tourism Philippines 2025 Coronation Night at the Francisco L. Dy Memorial Coliseum on Thursday evening. The event concluded shortly after midnight, and Galabay, along with his colleagues, was on routine patrol when the confrontation with Molina took place.

Galabay was rushed to Isabela United Doctors Medical Center but was declared dead at 2:23 a.m.

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Meanwhile, Molina, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was transported to Cauayan Medical Specialists Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m./coa