CEBU CITY – A 60-year-old barangay councilor was gunned down while driving a motorcycle on the national highway in Barangay Prenza, Balamban, Cebu, on Thursday afternoon, October 5.
Police identified the fatality as Anastacio Pacquiao, one of three candidates running for barangay captain in Cansomoroy, Balamban.
Police Lt. Col. Glenn Hife, chief of the Balamban Police Station, said it was possible that the assailant tailed the victim after he left his house. The gunman used a .45 caliber pistol.
Hife said investigators were able to secure footage of a security camera that may help in identifying the culprit.
He added that the victim didn’t receive any threats before the attack.
“The family has no suspects or could not think of someone who may be behind the attack. Close relatives said that the victim did not mention any threats and had no known enemy in their place,” said Hife.
Hife said investigators are looking into illegal drugs and politics as possible motive of the attack.
He said the victim was active in the campaign against illegal drugs when he was chief tanod (watchman) in the barangay.