TALUGTOG, Nueva Ecija – Another village head was killed right in front of other barangay officials during a wake in this northern Nueva Ecija town, police reported on Monday.
Police identified the victim as Rolando Duque, 45, chairman of Barangay Baybayabas here.
He was the sixth barangay head to have been assassinated in Nueva Ecija since 2007. The two others were presidents of Association of Barangay Captains in the municipalities of Sto.Domingo and Jaen.
Investigation disclosed Duque was attending the wake of a neighbor when repeatedly shot by a man who came from nowhere at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. He died instantly while another resident, identified as Anthony Oroy, was hit by stray bullet and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Ofelia Duque, the victim’s wife, said she could not see any motive in the killing. Her husband, Ofelia added, has been performing his duties well for the last nine years as a public servant.
The victim has four children, all females whose eldest was 19.
Police was quick to eliminate politics as among the motives and has yet to identify any suspect and mastermind.
Witnesses said the gunman used a short firearm and fled with a waiting motorcycle and went his way from Talugtog to Guimba road. A pick up without license plate was seen following the getaway motorcycle, investigation disclosed.
Duque’s wife said the night before the killing, her husband was discussing about his plan to use village funds to finance a scholarship program.
Just a couple of weeks ago, a barangay captain was killed in San Antonio town.
Police identified the victim as Rolando Duque, 45, chairman of Barangay Baybayabas here.
He was the sixth barangay head to have been assassinated in Nueva Ecija since 2007. The two others were presidents of Association of Barangay Captains in the municipalities of Sto.Domingo and Jaen.
Investigation disclosed Duque was attending the wake of a neighbor when repeatedly shot by a man who came from nowhere at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. He died instantly while another resident, identified as Anthony Oroy, was hit by stray bullet and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Ofelia Duque, the victim’s wife, said she could not see any motive in the killing. Her husband, Ofelia added, has been performing his duties well for the last nine years as a public servant.
The victim has four children, all females whose eldest was 19.
Police was quick to eliminate politics as among the motives and has yet to identify any suspect and mastermind.
Witnesses said the gunman used a short firearm and fled with a waiting motorcycle and went his way from Talugtog to Guimba road. A pick up without license plate was seen following the getaway motorcycle, investigation disclosed.
Duque’s wife said the night before the killing, her husband was discussing about his plan to use village funds to finance a scholarship program.
Just a couple of weeks ago, a barangay captain was killed in San Antonio town.
