A 52-YEAR-OLD lawyer was gunned down in a farm in Sitio Patag, Barangay Calbugos, Villaba, Leyte Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Authorities identified the victim as lawyer Elmer Mape, married, a resident of Barangay Poblacion Del Norte, Villaba.
As of Tuesday evening, a hot pursuit operation was ongoing against the suspect, who was identified as alias Botchoy Oliverio, according to information released by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas (PRO-8).
The operating team was composed of the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force, led by force commander Lieutenant Colonel Rolanda Dellezo, and Villaba Municipal Police Station personnel, led by Major Edwin Tolibas, the acting chief of police.
Initial investigation disclosed that the victim went to the area to gather the harvested corn from his farm around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The suspect allegedly approached the victim before he drew an unknown caliber of firearm and shot the lawyer twice, police said in the report.
Recovered from the crime scene were an empty shell of a caliber .45 pistol and one slug of caliber .45 pistol.
Authorities also found a caliber 9mm pistol Glock 17 with one magazine of 9mm loaded with 15 ammunition. It was owned by the victim.
Some concerned citizens brought the victim to the Ormoc District Hospital, but he was declared on arrival.
Police are investigating the incident. (SunStar Philippines)