CANDELARIA, Quezon – A 41-year-old man and a minor were killed in a gun attack in Sitio Mahal na Senior, Barangay Santa Catalina Norte here on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Candelaria police chief Lt. Col. Dennis de Leon identified the victims as Rodel Panaligan and his niece Maria Isabel.
Investigation said Panaligan was standing in front of his house at 10:40 p.m. when an unidentified man arrived and fired at the victim.
He sustained bullet wounds in the head and waist, killing him on the spot. Maria Isabel who was inside the house was hit by a stray bullet in the lower left chest and was declared dead on arrival at Peter Paul Medical Center here.
The suspect fled and the subject of a police manhunt.
De Leon said they have a person of interest, a cousin of Panaligan and a resident of Sitio Bagong Pook, Barangay Santa Catalina Norte.
Police said a possible motive of the killing is love triangle.
Panaligan had been arrested for drugs and illegal possession of firearm and was out on bail when he was killed.