A barangay chairman was shot dead just outside his house in Barangay Don Mariano Marcos, Jaen, Nueva Ecija.
The shooting happened on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Mark Vic Pascual, 41, was gunned down while standing with four barangay watchmen during their routine patrol.
According to initial reports, a car suddenly stopped in front of them, and the gunman fired a 9mm pistol, hitting Pascual multiple times.
Pascual slumped to the ground and was rushed to the hospital but he did not make it there alive.
The suspects fled the scene quickly.
The local government condemned the killing.
"Unang-una mariin kong kinokondena ang pagpatay sa aming kapitan ng Don Mariano Marcos sa kanyang pagkakabaril at pagkakapatay," Mayor Sylvia Austria said.
A special task force has been formed to look into the case. Authorities suspect politics may have something to do with the shooting.
"Naniniwala ako na ito ay pulitika dahil itong batang ito ay malimit na makainitan ng iba dahil nga sa siya ay magaling at mahusay, palagi siyang nananalong konsehal," Austria said.
A P300,000 reward has been offered for information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects.