CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A village chief was shot dead right inside the barangay hall in Arayat, Pampanga around 8:30 p.m., August 11.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office 3 identified the fatality as Norberto “Mel” Lumbang, 57, incumbent chairman of Barangay Lacquios, Arayat.
Preliminary investigation by the police showed Lumbang was inside the barangay hall when four unidentified men arrived on board a black Toyota Innova (NAU-2713) with three alighting and one of them fired multiple shots at Lumbang with a long firearm.
The suspects immediately fled on board the same vehicle after the incident. Police said it will leave “no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice” for the slain barangay chairman.
Lumbang had made public his plan to run for Arayat vice mayor in next year’s election. A campaign collateral with his image backdropped by the head of an eagle and inscribed “Mel Idol Lumbang – VM2025” was even posted in the web.
In his own Facebook page, Arayat councilor Ronald Venasquez posted a composite photo of himself with “Mayor 2025” and Lumbang with “Vice Mayor 2025” under the title “Tune Anak ning Arayat” and “Team RV”.
“Ang buong bayan po ng Arayat ay nagdadalamhati sa pagkawala ng aming kasamahan na si Kapitan Mel “Idol” Lumbang. Ang iyong kabutihan at dedikasyon ay mananatiling nakatatak sa aming mga puso,” Venasquez wrote. “Dalangin namin na ang katotohanan ay lumabas at ang nararapat ay mangyari. Nawa’y magkaroon ng hustisya na magbibigay ng kapayapaan at katarungan.”
Lumbang is the second barangay chairman killed in Pampanga in exactly two months. Only last June 11, Matt Ryan de la Cruz, 37, chairman of Barangay San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando was killed, along with his driver, in a gas station in the city.
Two other barangay chairmen in the City of San Fernando were killed in 2022 — Alvin Mendoza of Alasas in April, and Jesus Liang of Sto. Rosario in December. Punto News Team/Phots: FB photos
