Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 6) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested two alleged accomplices in the murder of a barangay captain in Taal, Batangas.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, PNP Acting Public Information Chief and Spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said that after scanning CCTV footage in the area, authorities have tracked down the men responsible for hiding the motorcycle used in the ambush and the clothes that were used by assailants.
“Patuloy pa rin ang ginagawang hot pursuit operation ng Batangas Provincial Police Office at kinasuhan na rin ‘yung dalawa [The hot pursuit operation being conducted by the Batangas Provincial Police Office is ongoing, and cases have been filed against the two alleged accomplices who were arrested],” Fajardo said.
On Tuesday morning, a barangay captain was shot to death in front of a barangay hall in Taal.
READ: Barangay chief shot dead in Batangas
Based on a police report, the local official was sitting in a rest area when two perpetrators arrived and shot him using a caliber 45 pistol at 7:20 a.m.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
He was about to run for a second term in the upcoming barangay elections.
Police said they are considering the possibility that the incident could be election-related.
“Sa ngayon wala pa tayong nakikitang motibo but hindi natin pwedeng maialis na ito ay pwedeng may kinalaman sa election,” Fajardo said.”
Kaya pumasok siya sa suspected ERIs (election-related incidents) dahil nangyari ito during the election period at isang barangay official itong ating biktima,” she added.
[Translation: Right now, we haven’t determined a motive yet, but we cannot rule out the possibility that it is related to the elections. This was included in suspected ERIs because it happened during the election period and the victim is a barangay official.]
