ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Fear and outrage continue to spread across Isabela City after another fatal riding-in-tandem shooting claimed the life of a City Hall employee on Wednesday, marking the third deadly attack linked to the same extended family in less than two weeks.
The latest victim was identified as Carliecel C. Nuena, a resident of Barangay Lanote and an employee of the Isabela City Hall assigned at the Office of the City Mayor – Records Division. Authorities said Nuena was on her way to work when unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen suddenly approached and opened fire, killing her on the spot.
Police investigators are now probing the motive behind the brazen daylight killing, which has intensified public alarm over the continuing wave of gun violence in the city.
Initial reports disclosed that Nuena was a cousin of Karen Toledo-Resurreccion, who was also gunned down in Barangay Lanote last Friday. Karen’s husband, Nelson Resurreccion, survived the attack but sustained injuries.
The killing of Nuena now forms part of a disturbing string of attacks involving members of the Toledo family. On May 10, senior citizen Gilberto Toledo was likewise shot dead. Four days later, Karen Toledo-Resurreccion became the second fatality in what residents now fear could be a targeted series of assassinations.
All three victims were reportedly relatives and residents of the same barangay.
Despite the succession of killings, no arrests have been reported as of this writing.
The Philippine National Police in Isabela City said a “person of interest” has already been identified, but authorities have yet to disclose further details while the investigation remains ongoing.
Residents, however, are growing increasingly frustrated, questioning whether enough is being done to stop the violence.
“Will authorities wait for another victim before acting?” some residents asked on social media, as calls mounted for stronger police visibility, intensified checkpoints, and immediate operations against those behind the killings.
Several netizens also criticized what they described as weak security measures, with some comparing the situation to stricter checkpoint enforcement by traffic authorities than by law enforcement units combating criminality.
Friends, co-workers, and relatives of Nuena expressed grief and disbelief over her death, describing her as kind-hearted, humble, and dedicated to public service.
In an official statement, the City Government of Isabela mourned the loss of Nuena, who had served the local government since 2015 as a utility worker under the Mayor’s Office Records Division.
City officials described her as a quiet yet committed public servant whose years of dedication contributed significantly to the daily operations of the local government.
The local government also urged concerned authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to ensure justice for Nuena and her grieving family.
“The continuing incidents of violence affecting communities highlight the urgent need to strengthen peace and public safety efforts in Isabela City,” the statement read.
The wave of shootings has now triggered widespread fear among residents, particularly in Barangay Lanote, where all three victims reportedly lived.
For many in the city, the repeated attacks — all carried out by still-unidentified riding-in-tandem assailants — have raised serious concerns over public safety, police response, and the growing boldness of gunmen operating in broad daylight.
As the family of the victims continues to mourn, pressure is mounting on authorities to solve the killings before more lives are lost in what residents now describe as one of the most alarming streaks of violence to hit Isabela City in recent months.