ZAMBOANGA CITY — Police are investigating the killing of a barangay official who recently joined the administration’s political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Isabela City Police chief, Supt. Restituto Pangusban, identified the victim as Kaddam Ismael, 61, who succumbed to a lone gunshot wound and died instantly.
Ismael was the barangay chairperson of Kapayawan, Isabela City, Basilan province at the time of his death.
Pangusban said Ismael was shot dead along the highway in Barangay Lumbang, Isabela City at about 6:10 p.m. Thursday.
He said the slain barangay official was onboard a motorcycle driven by his son on the way home when he was shot by one of two motorcycle-riding men.
Ismael had just arrived from Manila as he was among the 40 barangay chairpersons of Isabela City who took their oaths as members of PDP-Laban on Wednesday.
Pangusban said Ismael’s son was unscathed during the incident.
The suspects, whose motorcycle bore no registered plate number, sped towards the municipality of Maluso.
Recovered from the crime scene was an empty shell of a caliber .45 pistol. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr./PNA)
