Former barangay captain in Isabela shot dead in own farm; police hunt riding-in-tandem killers

Echague, Isabela – A former barangay captain who continued serving his community as a barangay councilor was shot dead by still-unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen inside his farm in Barangay Malibago, Echague, Isabela, on Friday morning, July 17.

The victim was identified by police as Lito Publico, 66, a resident and barangay councilor of Barangay Malibago.

According to police, the incident was reported at around 8:00 a.m. after a concerned citizen called the hotline of the Echague Municipal Police Station.

Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO-Echague) arrived at the scene and found Publico lying motionless with multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the scene, while the suspects had already fled.

Police probing motive

In an interview, Echague Municipal Police Station chief PMAJ. Domer Pelo said officers immediately responded after receiving the emergency call. Patrol personnel and investigators were dispatched to Barangay Malibago to verify the report, secure the crime scene, and begin the investigation.

"Nakatanggap po tayo ng tawag mula sa isang concerned citizen sa ating hotline. Agad po tayong nag-deploy ng ating mga patroller at imbestigador para i-verify ang insidente sa Barangay Malibago," Pelo said.

Pelo said investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the killing. He explained that authorities are gathering witness statements, examining evidence recovered from the crime scene, and pursuing possible leads to identify those responsible.

"Sa ngayon, inaalam pa natin kung ano ang motibo kung bakit nangyari ito. Ongoing pa po ang ating investigation para makakuha tayo ng impormasyon at ebidensya na makakatulong sa pagtukoy sa mga posibleng perpetrators," he said.

The police chief added that investigators from the Isabela Police Provincial Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have joined the Echague police in the investigation to expedite the identification and arrest of the suspects.

Pelo also appealed to the gunmen to surrender and cooperate with authorities.

"Nagtutulungan po ang ating mga investigators mula sa Provincial Headquarters at CIDG para matukoy ang mga perpetrators. Sana ay magsurrender na lamang sila upang matulungan din natin sila sa tamang proseso," he added.

As of this writing, the identities of the assailants remain unknown. Police continue to conduct a manhunt operation and are urging anyone with information that could help identify and arrest the suspects to come forward to aid in the investigation and bring justice to the victim.