PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A former barangay chairman from the municipality of Labangan was shot dead in a brazen daylight ambush along the national highway in Barangay Tawagan Sur, Pagadian City, on Thursday afternoon, May 28, triggering a massive dragnet and hot pursuit operation by authorities.
The victim, identified by police as the former barangay captain of Upper Sang-an, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, was riding a yellow Yamaha Mio 125 motorcycle on his way to fetch his wife from a hospital in Pagadian City when he was attacked by still unidentified armed men at around 3:50 to 3:56 p.m.
Initial police investigation revealed that the suspects, believed to be three armed men, were riding a gray or white Toyota Fortuner SUV when they tailed the victim near the vicinity of Triumph Depot along Maharlika Highway in Purok Sampaguita, Barangay Tawagan Sur.
Moments later, multiple gunshots rang out, causing panic among motorists and residents in the area. The victim reportedly collapsed on the roadside after sustaining fatal gunshot wounds.
Responders and family members immediately rushed the victim to the nearest hospital, but he was declared dead shortly after due to the severity of his injuries.
Crime scene investigators recovered at least three spent cartridges from a 9mm pistol at the scene, indicating the attack was carried out at close range.
Witnesses said the suspects sped away immediately after the shooting aboard the SUV toward an unknown direction, prompting law enforcement units to launch simultaneous hot pursuit and dragnet operations across nearby barangays and municipalities.
Hours after the ambush, authorities recovered an abandoned Toyota Fortuner believed to have been used by the assailants in Purok Buntod 2, Barangay Poloyagan, Pagadian City.
According to information gathered by local media, the vehicle, bearing plate number NBQ 5108, was allegedly abandoned by three male suspects who later fled toward the direction of Dumalinao town.
Police operatives discovered firearms ammunition and other possible evidence inside the abandoned vehicle, strengthening suspicions that it was indeed used in the assassination.
The Philippine National Police has since intensified its investigation through CCTV backtracking, witness interviews, and forensic examinations to establish the motive behind the killing and identify all individuals involved.
Authorities have yet to determine whether the attack was politically motivated, personally driven, or connected to other possible conflicts involving the victim.
The victim’s remains were immediately taken by his family for burial preparations in accordance with Islamic traditions.
The Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office assured the public that all available police interventions are being undertaken to ensure the immediate resolution of the case.
Police also appealed to residents and motorists who may have witnessed the incident or possess information regarding the suspects to coordinate with the nearest police station, assuring that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.
The killing has once again raised alarm over the continuing incidents of gun violence in parts of Mindanao, particularly attacks targeting local officials and former community leaders.