Cops summon persons of interest in Lanao election officer’s slay

Mark Orlando Vallecer II, the slain election officer of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte. (Photo courtesy of Vallecer’s Facebook profile)

By Nef Luczon | Philippine News Agency

Police in Lanao del Norte have summoned “persons of interest” to aid in identifying the suspects behind the killing of election officer Mark Orlando Vallecer II in Salvador town on Monday (Nov. 25).

PCOL. Roy Magsalay, the provincial police director, said two individuals have been invited for questioning as part of the investigation. Vallecer, 51, was shot and killed by two assailants riding a motorcycle. He was an election officer in the neighboring town of Nunungan.

Magsalay disclosed that Vallecer had received death threats in the months leading up to his death.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Comelec Employees Union strongly condemned the attack.

In a statement, Angelo Ray Obrero, president of the All Xavier University High School Alumni Association in Cagayan de Oro, called for swift justice, noting Vallecer’s significant contributions to their community.

“JhoVals’ (Vallecer’s nickname) contributions to our alumni community and society at large cannot be overstated,” Obrero said.

Vallecer’s killing occurred just two days after another election officer, 31-year-old John Nico Pandoy, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in President Quirino town, Sultan Kudarat province.

Authorities are investigating whether the incidents are linked.

Popular

Corruption issues won’t affect PH chairship of ASEAN 2026 —PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday stressed that local political issues of any member state will not overshadow the regional and...

PH to raise South China Sea Code of Conduct as 2026 ASEAN chair —PBBM

By Brian Campued The Philippines is in the process of putting together the different elements where it believes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

ASEAN, China sign free trade upgrade

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday joined fellow leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the signing of...

PBBM notes maritime cooperation as key for regional peace, stability

By Brian Campued Citing the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel as well as the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the...