Barangay chairman, cop among 4 killed in Isabela shooting

Four people were killed, including a barangay chairman and a police officer, in a shooting incident in Santo Tomas, Isabela on Sunday, according to the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) on Monday.

In a statement, PRO2 identified the fatalities as Barangay Colonguan chairman Jimmy Paeste Jr., Police Corporal Frederick Bautista, alias “Marlo,” and alias “Den.”

Four others were wounded including a 17-year-old girl and another police officer.

According to the police, the shooting happened around 7:50 p.m. in Barangay San Rafael Abajo during a local town fiesta celebration. Unidentified suspect suddenly opened fire on the victims.

The perpetrators may have used a white van and two motorcycles as getaway vehicles, the police said.

Recovered from the crime scene were five fired cartridge cases of 5.56mm caliber and two fired cartridge cases of .45 caliber.

A Special Investigation Task Group has been ordered to handle the case buildup and lead the manhunt for the suspects.

The PRO2 urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by reporting any information that may help solve the case.

“Inatasan ko na ang Isabela PPO at lahat ng concerned units na magsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon upang agad matukoy at maaresto ang mga responsable,” PRO2 chief Police Brigadier General Mariano Rodriguez said.

(I have directed the Isabela PPO and all concerned units to conduct a thorough investigation to immediately identify and arrest those responsible.)

“Patuloy ang lahat ng operasyon hanggang sa mapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng insidenteng ito,” he added.

(All operations will continue until those behind this incident are held accountable.) — RSJ, GMA News