POLICE have arrested a village official, who allegedly shot a teenager, in a manhunt operation in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official said Monday, June 17.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the arrested official as Marianito Paalisbo, 64, the village chief of New Sicayab, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez said Paalisbo was arrested in a pursuit operation late Sunday, June 16, along the Boulevard of Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte province.

Galvez said Paalisbo allegedly shot Melquisedec Moncida, 16, around 11:50 p.m. Sunday, June 16, in the vicinity of New Sicayab village hall, Polanco town.

Galvez said Moncida claimed he barged into the village hall of New Sicayab and sought the assistance of Paalisbo since he was attacked by a group of persons in nearby disco.

However, Moncida said that Paalisbo, instead of helping, pointed a handgun, forcing him to drop and crawl toward the door of the village hall.

Galvez said investigation showed that Paalisbo shot Moncida when the victim was already outside the village hall.

The victim was rushed to the hospital while the village official fled and was arrested later in Dipolog City. (SunStar Philippines)