Barangay captain shot dead in Talavera, Nueva Ecija

A barangay captain was gunned down in Barangay Calipahan in Talavera, Nueva Ecija on Monday morning, according to the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3).

Based on a police report, 49-year-old Joel Damacio and his barangay tanod were aboard their motorcycles traversing the northbound lane of Maharlika Highway.

The perpetrator approached and shot the victim several times using a caliber 9 mm pistol at 8:55 a.m. 

After the shooting incident, the perpetrator aboard a white and blue motorcycle fled towards Barangay Campos.

A flash alarm was relayed to concerned police units.

PRO 3 chief Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo told GMA News Online that authorities have identified a person of interest in the fatal shooting of the barangay captain.

Pursuit operation is underway, Fajardo said.

In a statement, the Talavera municipal government condemned the killing of Damacio and called for the immediate resolution of the case.

“Nanawagan kami sa mga awtoridad na sanaý mabilis na malutas ang krimeng ito at agad matugis ang mga dapat mapanagot sa ilalim ng batas. Humihiling kami ng katarungan para kay Kap Joel,” the local government said.

(We call on the authorities to quickly solve this crime and immediately prosecute those who should be held accountable under the law. We demand justice for Kap Joel.)

“Sa kanyang mga naiwan, ipinaabot po namin ang aming taos-pusong pakikidalamhati,” it added.

(To his family, we extend our deepest condolences.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News