Caretaker in Jaen, Nueva Ecijia killed by motorcycle-riding assailants

Two suspects on a motorcycle shot and killed a caretaker in Jaen town in Nueva Ecijia.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras Weekend”, the victim was identified as Russel Marcelo.

The investigation showed that Marcelo was on his way home from a drinking spree when he was shot dead by the unidentified gunmen.

After the attack, the suspects fled the crime scene.

“Wala kaming alam na may mangyayari nga sa kanya. Hindi natin alam baka mayroon siyang kagalit. Pero dito, wala siyang kagalit dito,” Ely Catalan, a resident, said.

(We had no idea this would happen to him. We don't know, maybe he had enemies. But he didn't have any enemies around here.)

Authorities said the motive behind the killing was still unclear since the victim did not receive any death threats.

On June 20, a barangay kagawad from the same town was injured after being shot by assailants on a motorcycle.

Last November 2021, the captain of Barangay Lambakin was also gunned down.

Jaen Mayor Sylvia Austria raised concerns over the spate of killings.

Austria also called on police to tighten security measures against possible riding-in-tandem gunmen to prevent another shooting incident.

“Kinakailangan maputol itong mga ganitong pangyayari nang magkaroon ng katahimikan dito sa bayan ng Jaen,” she said.

(The shooting incidents must be stopped so that there will be peace in the town of Jaen.)

Meanwhile, authorities refused to comment on the crime while investigations were ongoing. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News