A barangay chairman and his partner were injured after they were shot in Barangay Pamacpacan, Jaen, Nueva Ecija, on August 12, 2024.

The victims were identified as Clifford Miranda and his partner, Iryn Arque.

The suspects, who were on a motorcycle, opened fire at the couple in front of their hardware store.

Sonny Lomibao, an eyewitness, said Miranda tried to run inside the store but the suspects kept on firing.

"Nabalikwas si kapitan, nagtatakbo dun eh pinutukan siya. Hindi naman bumaba ['yung mga suspek], ayun, nagpaputok ng nagpaputok," Lomibao said.

The suspects fled the scene quickly after the shooting.

According to Miranda’s mother, Zeferina, her son sustained two gunshot wounds while Arque was hit by a single bullet.

Both victims are now in stable condition but remain under medical care at a hospital in Cabanatuan City.

"Okay naman na raw [ang anak ko]. ‘Yung [kinakasama niya'y] aalisan pa raw [ng bala] kasi yun daw po [ay] dumikit sa balat... kaya ooperahan siya," Zeferina said.

INVESTIGATION

The local government has condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation.

"Inaatasan natin ang kapulisan sa mabilisang pagresolba ng kasong ito," Jaen Mayor Sylvia Austria said.

"Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon nang dalawang person[s] of interest na iniimbestigahan at nasa kustodiya na ng ating kapulisan," Austria added.

The investigation continues as of this writing.