CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – A barangay councilor or “kagawad” was shot dead by a lone gunman on the national highway in Barangay Salay, Mangaldan, Pangasinan on Tuesday night, January 2.
The Police Regional Office-1 (Ilocos) identified the victim as Romeo Abrazaldo del Campo, 43, kagawad of Barangay Guilig, Mangaldan.
Investigation said the victim was riding a Sports Utility Vehicle with his live-in partner and their six-year-old daughter driven by Percival Mercado de Guzman, 33, of Calamba City, Laguna when the suspect, Deo Gapulao Quilan, 30, jobless, of Candelaria, Quezon, appeared on board a motorcycle with no license plate.
Quilan drew a caliber .45 pistol gun and shot the victim in the head. Del Ocampo was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
The suspect fled onboard the motorcycle. Quilan was apprehended by patrolling policemen during a running gun battle after the suspect fell of his motorcycle on the Cayanga Bridge in Barangay Tempra-Guilig, San Fabian, Pangasinan, when he was hit on the thigh.
Quilan was taken to the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan where he is under hospital arrest.
The gun was recovered from the suspect who faces appropriate charges.