Google map of Dauin, Negros Oriental
DUMAGUETE CITY – A barangay councilor was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects inside his home in Dauin, Negros Oriental Thursday morning.
The incident occurred just days after President Rodrigo Duterte told the Philippine National Police (PNP) during a joint national and regional peace and order council meeting here to solve the series of killings in Negros Oriental.
A police report identified the victim as Agustin Rusil Aragones of Barangay Maayongtubig.
Initial police investigation showed two unidentified male suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle arrived at Aragones’ house around 10:40 a.m., entered through the open gate and shot him at close range while he was watering his plants in the yard.
The victim was rushed to a private hospital in this capital city while the suspects fled southward to nearby Zamboanguita town.
He expired at around 11:22 a.m., the Dauin police said.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known while hot pursuit operations are ongoing.
Last month, the village chief of Barangay Bagacay in Dauin was also shot dead by suspects who were arrested several hours later, although the motive for the killing was also not known.
Meanwhile, Col. Glenn Mayam, newly-assumed officer-in-charge provincial police director of Negros Oriental, in an interview said all police stations are on alert now for a “dragnet” operation for Aragones’ killers.
Mayam, who took over the position from Col. Bryant Demot on Tuesday, said the shooting/killing incidents that were presented to the President during his visit here are now being handled by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
He also confirmed a reshuffling or re-assignment of police chiefs in Negros Oriental after he assumed office. (PNA)
