AUTHORITIES formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to focus on the resolution of the ambush incident in the Island Garden of Samal (Igacos) on Sunday, killing a village (barangay) captain and his personal body guard.
In an interview on Thursday, November 29, with Igacos station commander Police Senior Superintendent Guissepe Geralde, he said that the investigation is still ongoing to determine the perpetrators who killed the barangay captain inside his residence.
He said that Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) provincial director Police Senior Superintendent Ferlu J. Silvio created the body to fast track the investigation and speed up the attainment of justice in the killing of Barangay Captain Paulito Reyes Villaceran of Barangay Sion, Kaputian District and Jhonie Caro, a former enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army and close-in escort of Barangay Captain Villaceran.
Based on their investigation, at around 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, Villaceran, his wife Maribeth Villaceran, Randy Inday, Mario Cagasan, Josephine Comendador and Caro were there when the suspects peppered them with bullets. However, aside from him and his bodyguard, the rest were safe.
“The three suspects gained entry by climbing into the concrete fence at the backyard portion of the house of said Barangay Captain and upon arrival thereat, fired their guns several times to the victims who were seating inside the lobby, hitting different parts of their bodies. The culprits fled away to unknown direction using two motorcycles while the victims were immediately brought to Samal District Hospital by responding relatives,” the report said.
Geralde said that they are looking into three motives which could be politically-motivated, his involvement as a member of the board of directors of Davao Del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc (Daneco) which has an issue with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and his mother’s realty business.
The suspects are still at large but he said that they are now looking into persons of interest.