A shooting incident marred a medical mission in Barangay Telapayang, Arayat, Pampanga, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, leaving Arayat Councilor Federico Hipolito dead and Barangay Chairman Lito Trinidad of Batasan injured.
Chaos ensued when people inside the covered court heard several gunshots.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed two men on a motorcycle seemingly observing the scene before approaching a white vehicle.
As the two men disembarked, gunshots rang out.
"Binuntutan nila. So, nakatigil na ‘yung [puting] sasakyan, nagpauna sila ng konti tapos bumalik," PCOL. Jay Dimaandal, Director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO), said.
"Tapos ‘yun pagkababa ng dalawa papunta ng barangay hall, dun na bumaril, hindi na sila [ang mga suspek] bumaba ng motor... diretso uli," Dimaandal added.
The victims were heading to Telapayo when they were followed.
"May medical mission kami sa Telapayo after nung event namin. Sabay-sabay kaming umalis papunta na ng Telapayong. Noong paalis na kami ng daan, magkakasunod kami, nauna ako. May nakabuntot sa amin na sasakyan at single na motor, ‘yun pala iyon," a companion of the victims said.
Authorities have yet to confirm if the shooting was election-related but continue to investigate the motive and identify those responsible.
The victims families are yet to release a statement, as of this writing.