Authorities have launched a manhunt following the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old civil engineer in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Engineer Karen Corsino Del Valle of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office was shot dead on the morning of March 2 in Catarman, while her brother, Kent John Corsino, was also wounded.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) family mourns and condemns the fatal shooting of our colleague, Engineer Karen Corsino Del Valle of the DPWH Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office,” the department said in a statement.

Secretary Vince Dizon and former congressman Paul Daza have each offered a ₱100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, bringing the total reward to ₱200,000.

“DPWH stands in solidarity with Engr. Del Valle’s family and urges authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation,” the statement added.

The attack occurred around 8:45 a.m. in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, as the siblings were about to park their motorcycle in front of the Catarman Regional Trial Court. Del Valle sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital, while her brother remains in critical condition.

Police have identified the suspect as Sgt. Jerome Lluz Tejero, reportedly Del Valle’s live-in partner. He is currently assigned to the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) headquarters in Maulong, Catbalogan City, Samar. Both the suspect and the victim are residents of Barangay Airport in Catarman.

A manhunt has been launched, with checkpoints set up in Catarman and surrounding areas to assist authorities in apprehending Tejero.

The Philippine Army has strongly condemned the killing. “The Philippine Army does not tolerate criminal acts committed by its personnel under any circumstances. Such actions are a direct affront to the core values of honor, service and patriotism that every soldier is sworn to uphold,” the 8ID said in a statement.

“The Command is fully cooperating with the Philippine National Police in the conduct of the investigation and in the immediate apprehension of the suspect,” it added.

📷 DPWH