TAYUM, Abra – A barangay chairman died after he was shot to death by still unidentified gun-wielding suspects while he and his four companions were having a drinking session to celebrate the New Year inside the compound of his residence at Gaddani, here, Tuesday.
Chief Superintendent Rolando Z. Nana, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the slain barangay official as George Sanidad, of legal age, married and the incumbent punong barangay of Gaddani, Tayum Abra and a resident of the same place.
Probers claimed that the victim and four companions were having a drinking session inside the compound of his residence when he was allegedly shot to death by a still unidentified armed suspect who positioned himself in the fence while the victim was singing a song using their videoke.
The victim was immediately rushed by his companions to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians due to two fatal gunshot wounds on his back that exited on his chest.
Responding elements of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team recovered from the crime scene three spent shells of an M-16 Armalite rifle which was used by the suspect in the perpetration of the crime.
Witnesses informed responding police operatives that the suspect immediately fled from the crime scene using a motorcycle without license plate number after having perpetrated the crime.
Probers are still ascertaining the motive behind the murder of the punong barangay whether or not it is connected with the intensed political rivalry in the conflict-stricken province.
By Dexter A. See