Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar directed a thorough investigation into the recent killings of barangay chiefs perpetrated in some provinces.
According to police reports reaching the office of the PNP chief, one Carlito Pacayra, chairman of Barangay Canlobo in Pinabacdao, Samar, was gunned down while he was resting in a hammock last Thursday (Nov. 4).
On the other hand, barangay chairperson Zoilo de Belen was shot dead at the boundary arc of Barangay Lambakin in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.
“Dalawang kapitan ng barangay ang pinatay sa Nueva Ecija at Samar kaya inatasan ko na ang lahat ng chief of police sa buong bansa na makipag-pulong sa mga pinuno ng Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) sa kani-kanilang lugar upang masusing pag-usapan ang seguridad ng bawat barangay officials,” Eleazar said.
“I have also directed the Regional Directors of PRO3 and PRO8 to prioritize these two cases and hold accountable all those responsible in order to send a strong message that the PNP will not allow these brazen killings. The assurance that those who perpetrated these crimes will be punished is itself, a preventive measure to prevent these from happening in the future especially on the days leading to the May 2022 elections,” he added.
Eleazar condoled with the families of the victims as he also denounced these senseless killings against barangay officials. He tasked local police units to heighten security measures to prevent this from happening again.
“Nakikiramay ako sa naulilang pamilya nina Barangay Lambakin, Nueva Ecija captain Zoilo de Belen at Barangay Canlobo chairman Carlito Pacayra ng bayan ng Pinabacdao, Samar at tinitiyak ko sa inyo na tututukan ko ang dalawang kasong ito,” the PNP chief said.
Eleazar said all angles would be checked to establish the real motive of the slays.
To deter these crimes, he also ordered police chiefs and unit commanders to assess if there is a need to adjust their security measures to ensure the security and protection of the communities.
“I am directing all local police units to come up with a security risk assessment on barangay officials in their respective areas of responsibility and make the appropriate adjustments if necessary for their protection. All PNP units should also give special focus on their campaigns against loose firearms and private armed group,” Eleazar said. (PNP-PIO) – bny
