ABULUG, Cagayan -- A police official based at the regional office died after he was sprayed with bullets on his way home by unidentified assailants in barangay Libertad here on Monday evening, Nov. 7.
Major Nelinda Maramag, information officer of Cagayan Police Provincial Office, identified the victim as Major Rafael Tangonan, a member of the Philippine National Police Regional Finance Office 2.
Based on an initial report, Major Tangonan, a resident of Ballesteros, Cagayan, was driving his white pickup truck when the perpetrators on board a brown Toyota Innova opened fire on the victim using long firearms around 8:00 p.m. in front of AC Dela Peña Hardware and Construction Supply in Abulug.
"Dead on arrival, itinakbo sya hospital pero declared ng attending physician Dr. Versola na DOA," Maramag told Manila Bulletin.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the upper part of his body.
Meanwhile, Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Tangonan was created to investigate the killing of the police official.
Col. Jovencio Badua Jr., task force supervisor, said they will look into the motive of the killing.
"Titingnan natin kung ito ay work related, dati siyang Intel officer ng Apayao Provincial Police Office," said Badua.
(Liezle Basa Inigo)