CAGAYAN – The provincial police headquarters here initiated manhunt operations for at least 30 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) reportedly involved in the brutal killing of a former comrade last October 28 inside his residence in Isca, Gonzaga town.
Police identified the victim as Freddie Pahicniyon, 34, a farmer and native of Banaue, Ifugao.
Gonzaga Police disclosed that, prior to the incident, the victim together, with his younger brother John Paul Pahicniyon and brother-in-law Erwin Daranciang, were asleep inside the victim’s family house when the suspects arrived.
This awakened the victim, who opened the door, only to be fired upon by two of the suspects. That initial volley of gunfire killed him instantly.
Around 10 fully armed men then barged into the house and took the victim’s bag and cellular phone.
After which, suspects fired their firearms in the air, and eventually fled going in an unknown direction.
Probers also revealed that there were also more or less 20 fully armed men waiting outside the residence.
These fully armed men were allegedly members of the NPA, who may have resented Pahicniyon’s decision to return to the fold of the law.
Cagayan Police Director Col. Ariel Quilang immediately directed nearby units from the First and Second Cagayan Provincial Mobile Forces Company and police stations to conduct hot pursuit operations with the Marine Battalion 10 for the possible apprehension of the suspects.