A FORMER village chief of Barangay Candaguit, Sibonga town, southern Cebu died after she was gunned down by unidentified men on board a motorcycle on Saturday morning, Feb. 19, 2022.
Agnes Mendaros, 63, was watering the plants at her garden when two men onboard a purple motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of her home at around 7 a.m.
Staff Sgt. Leon Gesim of the Sibonga Police Station said witnesses told them the backrider suddenly disembarked from the vehicle, approached Mendaros then shot her several times.
Despite being wounded, Mendaros was able to run towards her house but the gunman reportedly chased her and continued shooting her until she collapsed.
The gunmen then hurriedly returned to his companion and the two fled from the crime scene.
Emergency personnel immediately brought Mendaros to the Deiparine Medical Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Sibonga town but she died just before arriving.
Senior Master Sgt. Michelle Ponce, one of the investigators in the case, said they are looking at several angles behind Mendaros’ murder, including her involvement in a land dispute.
Another angle that the local police is exploring someone had a personal grudge against the former village chief.
Mendaros was reportedly running for councilor of the town during the May 2022 elections as an independent candidate but she later withdrew her candidacy.