A former barangay tanod went on a shooting spree during a flag-raising ceremony at a barangay hall in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on Monday morning, May 26, killing three village officials – including the barangay captain — and wounding another before taking his own life.
The Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A) said the suspect, identified as alias Ariel, was a former village public safety officer (tanod) of Barangay Salitran 3.
During the flag-raising ceremony in the barangay hall at 8:00 a.m., the suspect approached the crowd from the back and opened fire at Barangay Salitan 3 officials, hitting the four victims.
The Cavite Police Provincial Office said the barangay captain and two kagawads were killed, while a Sangguniang Kabataan official sustained serious injuries.
After the attack, the suspect reportedly shot himself. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead.
The Dasmariñas Component City Police Station is now investigating the motive behind the crime and urges anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Meanwhile, PRO 4A Director Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas has ordered a swift and thorough investigation.
“Mariin naming kinokondena ang karumal-dumal na insidente ng pamamaril. Agad nating inatasan ang ating mga imbestigador na magsagawa ng malalimang imbestigasyon upang matukoy ang tunay na motibo sa likod ng krimeng ito, at upang mabigyang hustisya ang mga nasawi at sugatang biktima,” Lucas said in a statement. (Carla Bauto Deña)
