Ka-Balbal-an?

There’s a serial killer on the loose in Cagayan de Oro City and the “massacre tally” so far is five decapitated goats and 21 slaughtered gamecocks.

The suspect? Hold your breath: Mindanao’s version of the werewolf known locally as the “Balbal.”

Barangay Baikingon Chairman Nathan Yaniez has, in fact, issued a “shoot to kill order” against the mythical flesh-eating creature that comes out, according to folklore, during full and new moons.

The five unlucky goats were found on a riverbank with bite marks on their necks and their internal organs devoured. The problem is no one has ever seen a “Balbal” yet, according to townsfolk who are keeping nightly vigils.

In Barangay Kauswagan, the “Balbal” was also blamed for slaughtering fighting cocks too mangled to be repurposed as tinola or kaldereta.

The problem with “Balbals” is that they can also take the form of humans. So CdO folks on the watch for them may be secretly eyeing one another – with suspicion.