Authorities in Batangas City are on the hunt for a barangay captain who allegedly fired a gun multiple times in a residential area, which caused panic among residents.

Evening on August 11, 2024, a series of gunshots echoed through Barangay Malibayo. 

A video captured by a resident showed the barangay captain walking down the street and shooting at a house using a long firearm.

A separate video shows a man attempting to restrain the barangay chairman but the latter allegedly continued to threaten those around him.

According to the Batangas City Police, the exact motive behind the chairman’s actions remains unclear but he reportedly went to the area under the influence of liquor.

"Dumating po ang pangulo ng nasabing barangay at may dala po siyang long firearm... siya po ay naka-inom, under influence po ng liquor.” PLT Sharen Ama, Public Information Office Chief of the Batangas Component City Police Station, said.

The captain allegedly fired shots on the ground beside the feet of a victim. 

"Ang saktong sinabi po ay 'Papatayin kita, uubusin ko kayo,” at ganoon po, pinutukan siya ng tatlong beses sa tabi ng kaniyang paa, ito naging cause ng kaniyang takot at panic sa kaniyang paligid," Ama said.

The victim and barangay officials have yet to release statements, as of this writing.

Fernando Rocafort, President of the Liga ng mga Punong Barangay in Batangas, assured that the incident will be investigated thoroughly. 

"Ako po ay nagpapa-imbestiga din, at sa COP (Chief of Police) ng Batangas City, at naghihintay din po kami ng imbestigasyon," Rocafort said.

"May mga tama tayong batas at idadaan po natin sa tamang proseso. Lagi po nating paalala na maging mahinahon at bilang tayo ang namamahala sa barangay ay dapat tayo ang mag-aayos at hindi tayo ang aayusin," Rocafort added.

The police have maintained presence in the area.