SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte – A barangay captain and his two companions were gunned down in Barangay 22 San Guillermo here before dawn on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Police identified the victims as Mark Adrian P. Barba, barangay captain of Barangay 6 San Juan Bautista and Association of Barangay Captain president of this town, and companions Raffy Ulep, 39, and Lord Wyne Gian Menor, 26.
THE victims’ bullet-riddled car is at right. (Photo via Freddie Lazaro)
Investigation said the victims were onboard a Toyota Innova vehicle with license plates NDA-8116 driven by Menor when they were shot by unidentified gunmen at 2:45 a.m.
Menor lost control of the vehicle and rammed a parked Toyota Fortuner vehicle in front of a hotel.
The suspects fled and the victims were taken by police to the hospital where they were declared dead.
Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives recovered 40 empty bullet shells in the area.
Mayor Mike Hernando here condemned the killing and urged the police to expedite their investigation and give justice to the victims' families.
Hernando appealed to witnesses to appear and provide information to the police.
Barba was the second barangay chairman killed in this municipality south of the provincial capital Laoag City.
Francisco Bagay Jr., 45, of Barangay 5 San Silvestre was shot dead in his house on Sept. 20.
Police are conducting follow-up and pursuit operations.