Two drivers of San Isidro Mayor Remedio Veloso figured in a shooting incident in Barangay Dapdap, Alongalang town in the Province of Leyte. 

The victims identified as alias “Neil” and alias “Errol” are both residents of San Isidro, Leyte.

Initial investigation of the Alangalang Police disclosed that while the victims were heading toward Alangalang town proper on board a gray pick-up, unidentified men shot allegedly the vehicle multiple times at about 3 p.m. on March 14, 2024.

The vehicle was reportedly hit in many parts. 

Alias “Neil” was reported to have sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back, while alias “Errol” was unscathed.

Alias “Neil” received treatment at the Rural Health Unit in Alangalang. 

The perpetrators headed toward Santa Fe, Leyte, according to Police Major Joshua Bien Chiquillo, Alangalang Municipal Police Station chief. 

Further, Alangalang Police coordinated with nearby stations for dragnet operations and with the Regional Forensic Unit 8 to process the crime scene. 

Police Colonel Erwin Portillo, Leyte Police Provincial Office director, instructed all field units in Leyte to respond to the incident.

“I am deeply saddened upon receiving this report. I have already given orders to the chief of police of Alangalang to look into this incident and exhaust efforts to gather evidence, including backtracking of CCTV in the area for possible identification of the assailants,” Col. Portillo said.

He also said that a full alert status will be hoisted over the Province of Leyte.

“With this, effective today, all municipalities in Leyte province will be placed under full alert status,” he added. 

In an interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, Mayor Veloso said he believes he was the target of the shooting incident because he stood against the alleged series of political killings in the third district of Leyte.