A 61-year-old barangay councilman was gunned down inside the barangay hall of Payar, Malasiqui, Pangasinan early morning on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Police identified the victim as Sonny Caspillan, Sr.

He was sleeping inside the hall with two Civilian Volunteer Officers when one of two suspects entered and shot him.

Caspillan sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest, stomach, and thigh, which caused his death. The suspects escaped on a motorcycle.

Police recovered six empty shells and two slugs of a caliber .45 pistol from the crime scene. Dragnet and checkpoint operations were set up immediately, while investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the gunmen.

“Wala naman po siyang kaaway dito na mortal na kaaway, kasi po hindi niya mararating iyong pangalawang kagawad kung meron siyang kaaway,” Jerry Mendoza Sr., Barangay Payar councilman, said.

Police said the victim was still able to speak before losing consciousness, but they are withholding details.

“Nakausap pa, nakapagsalita pa, at iyon ang magiging basis namin sa imbestigasyon. Hindi muna namin i-divulge ang nakuha naming ebidensya. Subject for in-depth investigation,” PLtCol. Garry Anthony Casem, chief of Malasiqui Police Station, said.

Relatives of the victim have yet to issue a statement as of press time.