2 suspects in the killing of Brgy. Kagawad in Tuao, Cagayan arrested

Tuao, Cagayan – Justice can soon be served for the family of a barangay official in Tuao, Cagayan, who was ambushed on Thursday morning, June 19, after police successfully arrested the suspects. 

In its press statement, the Cagayan Police Province Office confirmed the arrest of the gunmen, identified as residents of Zamboanga Del Norte. The names of the suspects were not disclosed by the law enforcement agency that captured them.  

It can be recalled that the ambush that killed the barangay official happened around 7:55 a.m. along the road in Barangay Palca. Kagawad Rodrigo Dupitas was on his way home with his wife on board a Kulong-kolong when the suspects riding a motorcycle shot Dupitas in the head and the neck and fled from the crime scene. 

Dupitas died on the spot due to severe gunshot wounds. 

The police recovered two .45 caliber bullet shells, one live round, and a blood-cotton swab from the crime scene.  

At around 1:30 p.m., less than six hours after the crime, authorities spotted two men matching the suspects’ description riding a motorcycle in Barangay Angang.  

A joint team composed of personnel from the Tuao Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit, 202nd Maneuver Force Platoon of CPMFC, and even the victim’s wife launched a hot pursuit operation.  

The team successfully intercepted the suspects on the National Highway in Barangay Bagumbayan. The wife positively identified their clothes, leading to their immediate arrest.  

Both suspects were subjected to medical and paraffin examinations, and authorities are preparing the documents needed to formally file the charges against them.  

The CPPO, led by Police Provincial Director PCOL Mardito Anguluan, extended deepest sympathy to the victim’s family and vowed to pursue justice.  

“Ang buong pwersa ng Cagayan Police Provincial Office ay taos-pusong nakikiramay sa naiwang pamilya ng biktima. Kaisa ninyo ang inyong kapulisan sa paghahangad ng hustisya. Mananatili kaming masigasig sa pagtugis sa mga kriminal at sa pagtataguyod ng isang ligtas at mapayapang Cagayan,” the agency wrote.