Kalinga ‘Robin Hood’ killed in police encounter

BAGUIO CITY — A man regarded by some residents as a “hero” and dubbed a “Robin Hood” figure by his kakailyans (village mates) was killed in a police encounter in Kalinga early Tuesday.

Corey Dickpus was declared dead at the Kalinga District Hospital shortly after 2 a.m. on 21 January 2026.

Police said officers went to Dickpus’ residence in Sitio Tocpao, Barangay Poblacion, Lubuagan, Kalinga, in the early hours of the day when a gunfight broke out. Dickpus was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. One police officer was also wounded during the encounter.

Dickpus, a former vice mayor of Lubuagan, had a P1 million bounty on his head. Authorities previously labeled him as one of the most wanted persons in the Cordillera region and listed him among the national most wanted after he was implicated in a double murder while serving as barangay captain of Poblacion.

Police said some residents had allegedly been prepared to hide or defend Dickpus whenever law enforcers attempted to arrest him. Despite being tagged as a most wanted fugitive, Dickpus was known among supporters for his generosity to village mates and people in need.

He was also identified as the prime suspect in the 2000 massacre of five traders from Pangasinan.

Dickpus ran for vice mayor in the May 2025 national and local elections but lost.