A barangay chairman was shot multiple times inside his residence in San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Barangay Ginot-an Chairman Richard Sapalo was found dead with gunshot wounds morning on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

An investigation of San Joaquin Police rendered that the victim arrived home 10 p.m. on February 25. By 2 a.m., shots were heard in his room. But his daughter did not bother about the noise, thinking it was a household item that dropped to the floor. 

At 5:30 a.m., his bloodied body was found sprawled on his bed. He sustained wounds on his mouth and on his belly.

“Based sa ating investigation, sa likod ng bahay dumaan ang perpetrators at pumasok sa kanyang silid. Ang likod ng bahay, hindi na-lock, ang silid wala ring lock," said Captain Isagani Tabares, officer in charge of San Joaquin Municipal Police Station.

Sapalo received reportedly a death threat via his handheld radio on January 1, 2026 from a male voice. However, the identity of the person has not been established yet. The person did not also specify of any offense, or transgression, possibly made by the barangay chairman.

“Nag-greet ako ng Happy New Year sa mga residente, sa barangay council. Kap, happy condolence Kap. Medyo bata (young) pa ang kanyang boses,” said Barangay Ginot-an Councilwoman Lilybeth Locsin. 

Following the death threat, Sapalo lived temporarily with a sibling in the said barangay. It was only in February that he has come home.

“Mga isang buwan siguro doon siya natutulog, doon siya umuuwi. Umuuwi lang siya dito tuwing araw. Wala naman siyang kaaway,” said Marie Momla, an elder sister of the victim.

Police identified a person of interest, but the motive is being investigated yet.

Further, it was learned that it would have been Sapalo's 53^rd birthday on February 26, which has made the incident more painful for his family and relatives to bear.

They urged the authorities to conduct thorough investigation on the crime.

“Brutal talaga ang ginawa niya sa kapatid ko. Ano ba talaga ang kasalanan ng kapatid ko na pwede namang pag-usapan na ma-settle na lang,” Momla stressed.

San Joaquin Mayor Joe Abad Lazaro, Jr. has ordered the police to focus tightly on the incident.

“Kung sino ang may nalalaman sa nangyari upang makatulong sa imbestigasyon upang makagawa ng necessary na legal na hakbang ang ating pulisya,” Lazaro said.