PNP: Election officer shot dead in Sultan Kudarat

An employee of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was shot dead in Barangay Poblacion in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat on Saturday, the Police Regional Office 12 said Monday.

Police identified the victim as 31-year-old John Nico Dionaldo Pandoy, the Assistant COMELEC officer of the municipality of Isulan in the same province.

Initial investigation showed that Pandoy was going home at past 4 p.m. Saturday from a barbershop on board his scooter when two suspects, both onboard motorcycles, tailed him before shooting the victim several times on the head.

The gunmen fled towards Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, police said.

Pandoy was brought to Immaculate Conception Hospital for treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, according to police.

Recovered from the crime scene were six spent cartridge cases from an unidentified firearm. These are set to undergo ballistic examination.

“All personnel and checkpoints were alerted while nearby Police Stations and friendly forces were immediately informed of the dragnet operation for possible identification and apprehension of the suspects,” the police said.  —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News