KABACAN, Cotabato — A barangay official was shot dead in a brazen early-morning attack right in front of a Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) checkpoint in Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, raising serious concerns over security and accountability at the grassroots level.
The victim was identified as Edgar Gatchalian, an active barangay kagawad and owner of the mini gasoline station where the killing occurred. The shooting happened at around 5:00 a.m., shattering the pre-dawn quiet of the area.
Residents said they were jolted awake by successive gunshots, which some initially mistook for firecrackers. Moments later, it became clear that a targeted killing had taken place. Gatchalian sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival. The assailants fled swiftly and remain unidentified.
What has alarmed the community most is that the attack unfolded directly in front of a BPAT checkpoint, a location meant to deter crime and ensure public safety. The incident has sparked questions about how the perpetrators were able to strike and escape from a supposedly secured area without immediate interception.
Police have placed the town on heightened alert and launched a manhunt, focusing on witness testimonies and the review of CCTV footage from nearby establishments. Authorities said follow-up operations are ongoing to establish the motive and identify those responsible.
Local officials are expected to issue an official statement as investigations continue. Meanwhile, residents and civic groups are calling for swift justice, stricter checkpoint protocols, and an urgent review of security measures to prevent similar attacks.
The killing of a sitting barangay official—at his own place of business and within sight of a security post—has intensified public fears and underscored the need for stronger, more effective community protection to restore peace and confidence in local governance.