2 men shot dead in Cagayan ; one of three suspects is ex-cop

Gattaran, Cagayan - A shooting incident transpired in Gattaran, Cagayan, around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. 

The victims, based on the press statement of the Cagayan Police Provincial Office, are residents of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, hidden under the names “Kiko” and “John.” 

Initial investigation revealed that the victims were on board a Chevrolet sedan when they were ambushed by the assailants in Sitio Padungsul, Barangay Naddungan, Gattaran that day.

After shooting the victims, leaving them for dead, the gunmen stole their vehicle and used it to flee the crime scene.  

Of the three gunmen, the CPPO identified one as a former policeman hidden under the name ”Harry,” a resident of Buguey. The identities of the two others are still being established by the authorities. 

As of this writing, further investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the crime.

In response to the incident, the provincial police office, led by Police Colonel Mardito G. Anguluan, has ordered all police stations in the province to launch dragnet operations and enforce tighter checkpoints to prevent the suspects from escaping. 

Intelligence units have also been mobilized to locate and track their whereabouts.