Police in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, have identified and are tracking two ‘persons of interest’ in the killing of a village chairperson in Barangay Poblacion on Oct. 18.
Major Leonel Delasan, Lambayong municipal police chief, said on Monday that witnesses provided information on the two men riding a motorbike who shot and killed Esmakil Sambilan, chairperson of Barangay Lagao.
Delasan noted a personal grudge could be a possible motive but did not elaborate.
Colonel Bernard Lao, Sultan Kudarat provincial police director, strongly condemned the murder and vowed to pursue the perpetrators.
Delasan said Sambilan and a companion were in a Toyota HiAce van heading toward the town center when they were ambushed at 3:30 p.m. along the national highway.
Sambilan was pronounced dead at Evangelista Medical Clinic and Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, while his companion was unharmed.
Sambilan’s remains were immediately taken by his family and buried according to Islamic rites.
Police recovered empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol and a deformed fired cartridge case at the crime scene.
Lao extended condolences to Sambilan’s family and assured them that all efforts would be made to identify and arrest the perpetrators