A barangay chairman was shot and killed along the Maharlika Highway in Talavera, Nueva Ecija while talking to a village peacekeeper.

Authorities identified the victim as Joel Damacio, chairman of Barangay Calipahan. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The village peacekeeper who was with Damacio during the shooting, was wounded and is now recovering in the hospital.

Based on initial police investigation, Damacio had just come from a Brigada Eskwela activity and was on his way home when he stopped by the roadside to talk to the peacekeeper.

While they were talking, two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle arrived and opened fire.

The suspects fled the scene immediately.

Damacio’s family has yet to release a statement, while police are still conducting a follow-up investigation and have not given official comments.

According to some barangay officials, Damacio was known to be kind and had no known enemies.

“Isang kapitan po na mabait ’yan. Kayang-kaya po niyang amuin ang mga tao kapag may problema. Wala naman problema, mabait na tao po ’yan. Nanalo pa rin nung huling kwan [pagtakbo] niya,” Barangay Councilman Darius Aguino said.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the killing.