Cops seek leads in killing of former campaign manager in Surigao del Sur

Kristoffer Ralph ‘Raffy’ Manggana Rizo poses at his farm in this photo from his social media account. Rizo, a farmer and former campaign manager, was shot dead in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, on Thursday, July 16. — Photo from Rizo’s Facebook SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Police have yet to identify suspects or establish a motive in the fatal shooting of a former campaign manager of an opposition congressional candidate in Surigao del Sur as investigators continue to gather evidence. Kristoffer Ralph “Raffy” Manggana Rizo, a farmer and community figure associated with Double Harvest Farming, was shot dead in Tagbina town on Thursday morning (July 16). Article continues after this advertisement Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, but no major breakthrough has been made. READ: Caraga cops nab suspect in Surigao town mayor’s ambush The Tagbina Municipal Police Station said its chief of police and the case investigator were in Tandag City on Friday for a case conference. Police have appealed to the public to provide information that could help identify the gunman and determine the motive behind the attack. Rizo served as campaign manager of former congressional candidate Carla Lopez Pichay during the 2025 elections in Surigao del Sur’s Second District. Before his death, Rizo had filed a police complaint over an alleged incident at his farm in Barangay Malixi, Tagbina. Article continues after this advertisement According to the police blotter, Rizo reported that on June 18 several individuals allegedly wearing National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) uniforms entered his property without permission. He claimed one of his workers was threatened with a long firearm and that a motorcycle was taken from the farm. Police said the report remains under investigation and have not established whether the incident is linked to Rizo’s killing. Article continues after this advertisement Days before he was shot, Rizo posted a message on Facebook expressing concern over what he described as harassment because of his “stand.” The post did not identify any individual or group, and police have not linked it to the killing. Following Rizo’s death, Pichay condemned the attack and called for accountability, describing it as another example of violence and impunity in Surigao del Sur. Lawyer Mary Helen Zafra, a political ally of Pichay, also urged authorities to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation to identify those responsible. Police said they are pursuing all possible angles, including political, personal, and other motives, but stressed that no conclusions have been reached. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. The case remains under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. /das