Polomolok, South Cotabato — A shooting incident involving members of an indigenous tribe in Barangay Landan, Polomolok, was caught on video and is now under investigation after a police officer, allegedly serving as the mayor’s bodyguard, was identified in the footage.
Initial reports showed the officer brandishing a firearm and firing several shots. In the video, a tribal member could be heard pleading with the policeman to stop, stressing that the man being chased was unarmed and carried no weapon.
Authorities are still determining the motive behind the shooting as well as the identities of all individuals involved, including the tribal member who was pursued.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., in a social media post, assured the public that the provincial government will closely monitor the case and ensure accountability. “We will not let this incident pass without appropriate action,” Tamayo said.
Meanwhile, Polomolok Mayor Bernie “Jojo” Palencia has called for a media briefing to address the allegations linking his police bodyguards and security personnel to the shooting.
In an official statement, the Polomolok Local Government Unit (LGU) confirmed that the incident was related to a land conflict between indigenous people and Dolefil. The mayor, along with barangay leaders and the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), initiated talks with both the tribal clan and Dolefil representatives to defuse tensions.
The LGU also emphasized that the municipal government “does not tolerate violence and will never employ violence as a means to compel compliance.”
As of this writing, clarifications from both the police officer and the victim’s side are still awaited.