PNP to probe slay of barangay execs in 2 provinces —Eleazar

The Philippine National Police said Saturday that it has ordered an investigation into the recent killings of barangay chiefs in two provinces.

Police reports indicate that Carlito Pacayra, barangay chairman of Canlobo in Pinabacdao, Samar, was gunned down while in his hammock last Thursday.

In Nueva Ecija,  barangay chairperson Zoilo de Belen was shot to his death at the boundary arc of Barangay Lambakin in the town of Jaen.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said, “Inatasan ko na ang lahat ng Chief of Police sa buong bansa na makipag-pulong sa mga pinuno ng Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) sa kani-kanilang lugar upang masusing pag-usapan ang seguridad ng bawat barangay officials.”

(I have ordered all police chiefs throughout the country to meet with the leaders of the ABC in their respective areas to thoroughly discuss the security of each barangay officials.)

Eleazar also directed the regional directors of PRO3 and PRO8 to prioritize these two cases and hold accountable all those responsible in these brazen killings.

He also offered his condolences to the victims' families and denounced the crimes. 

Also, the PNP chief assured the families and the pubic that all possible angles will be checked to establish the real motive behind the killings.

“I am directing all local police units to come up with a security risk assessment on barangay officials in their respective areas of responsibility and make the appropriate adjustments if necessary for their protection,” he said.

“All PNP units should also give special focus on their campaigns against loose firearms and private armed groups,” he added. —LBG, GMA News