TUAO, Cagayan – A barangay councilor who was the back-rider of slain barangay captain in a shooting incident on May 24 in this town has been considered the ‘person of interest,’ according to investigators.

The Cagayan Provincial Office said Eduardo Montorio has been identified as the primary suspect in the killing of Barangay Sto. Tomas chairman Dante Blanza owing to his contrasting statements on the incident.

“Siya ang maituturing na person of interest dahil sa hindi magkakatugmang pahayag nito ukol sa insidente,” said Lieutenant Isabelita Gano, Information Officer of Cagayan PPO.

On Tuesday morning (May 24), BLanza, 61, boarded his motorcycle with Montorio, a councilor also of Barangay Sto. Tomas, as back-rider. They were reportedly going to the Department of Agriculture office in Tuao west.

According to the police probers, Montorio had told them during initial investigation that upon reaching the barangay road in Bicok, two unidentified gunmen on board a motorcycle suddenly overtook them and fired a shot towards them.

The barangay chairman was hit on the chest. He was rushed to St. Paul Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Montorio had also declared to the investigators that he had to run to the farm field for fear as the alleged suspects, he said, had gone back to verify if the victim was dead.

Montorio was subsequently subjected to a paraffin test after the incident.

“Isinagawa rin ang paraffin test sa kanang kamay nito na nagbigay naman ng positibong resulta base sa isinagawang examination ng crime laboratory office,” said Lieutenant Gano.

The suspect is now under the custody of Tuao Police Station and murder case has been filed against him on Thursday, May 26.