Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) – A newly elected barangay chairman in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur was killed by an unidentified gunman on Wednesday evening.
Authorities say Rofoldo “Lolong” Dacol was gunned down around 6:30 p.m.
Dacol was reportedly about to park the barangay-owned tricycle when the suspect approached and shot him at point-blank range.
Lory Carillo, a relative of Dacol, said they heard a gunshot a few meters from the crime scene.
The victim was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival with a bullet wound to his abdomen.
Dacol’s son, Fraynald, also a newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan councilor, confirmed his father’s death at the hospital.
He told authorities his father was constantly receiving death threats.
PLTCOL Rex Perocho, chief of the Zamboanga del Sur Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said they are still gathering vital information and evidence to solve the killing.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Thursday, Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia urged the police to intensify efforts against loose firearms, put additional checkpoints, and deploy personnel on the ground. Arrests must also be done to restore confidence of the people to law enforcers, he added.
Garcia said there are 22 deaths so far related to the recent village polls.
