NIA-10 employee killed amid corruption allegations

The National Irrigation Administration in Northern Mindanao (NIA-10) is mourning the death of former employee Niruh Kyle Antatico, who was shot dead on October 10, amidst allegations linking him to corruption exposés involving irrigation funds.

Antatico, a former senior legal researcher at NIA-10, had been posting on social media allegations of overpricing, substandard project implementation, and "ghost" irrigation works in Lanao del Sur.

Dashcam footage captured the shooting carried out by two motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro.

Lawyers' and citizens' groups, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Misamis Oriental, and a congressman condemned the killing.

The IBP called the murder an attack on the rule of law, stating that "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."

NIA-10 has initiated a comprehensive review and verification process with the assistance of relevant authorities and urged the public to refrain from speculation.

Authorities have vowed a swift manhunt for the perpetrators.