REWARD. A PHP500,000 reward awaits tipsters in the recent killing of Leyte village officials in Daja Diot, in San Isidro town. Leyte police provincial office information officer Capt. Hazel Vacal said Tuesday (March 5, 2024) they initiated the reward system because they believe that community members have vital and valuable information to help bring justice to the victims. (Leyte police image)
TACLOBAN CITY – Authorities are giving cash rewards to persons who have information on the identities of those behind the recent killing of local officials in Barangay (village) Daja Diot in San Isidro, Leyte.
The PHP500,000 cash reward will come from the Leyte provincial government through Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern Visayas regional office through regional director Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid.
Leyte Police Provincial Office (PPO) information officer Capt. Hazel Vacal said Tuesday they initiated the reward system because they believe that community members have vital and valuable information to help bring justice to the victims.
“We believe that there is someone who can provide information through the reward system. We are not just relying on that because we are still conducting interviews with possible witnesses,” Vacal said.
“Rest assured that the information and identity of the tipster will be treated with confidentiality,” she added.
Earlier, the Leyte police formed the Special Investigation Task Group to focus on solving the crime, the motive for killing the victims, and knowing the identities of the suspects.
They may send information by contacting the San Isidro Municipal Police Station at 09985986513 and the Leyte PPO at 09052500030 or 09176235593.
Authorities announced the cash reward a few days after the deaths of Daja Diot village chief Elizalde Tabon, village councilor Paulo Mendero, and village watchman Rusty Salazar in San Isidro town on Feb. 24.
Four gunmen riding two motorcycles reportedly barged into the village hall and attacked the victims while attending a meeting. Two other village council members were also hurt by gunshots.
The incident came on the heels of the shooting-to-death of a village councilor in Tag-abaca in Leyte, Leyte on Feb. 23.
On Feb. 20, a gunman shot and killed another village councilor in Tugas village, Tabango, Leyte.
The Leyte PPO has intensified its patrol in the 3rd congressional district of Leyte after the fatal shooting of village officials. (PNA)
