MALAYBALAY CITY — Police said they have filed murder charges against a suspect in the slaying of a candidate for barangay chair of San Jose, Malaybalay City.
Police Senior Insp. Julius Saluta, investigation section head of the Malaybalay City Police, said they have filed charges against the suspect last Wednesday even though he remains a fugitive.
Saluta, however, refused to reveal the suspect’s identity and whereabouts, pending further investigation.
Ramon Jaculbe, 59, married and a resident of Purok 5, Barangay San Jose, died while undergoing medical treatment in a private hospital here.
Lawyer Chubasco Cenen Caiña, city election officer of Malaybalay on April 20, confirmed that Jaculbe had filed his candidacy for the post of San Jose village chief on April 16.
Police said one of two suspects shot the victim at about 4:30 p.m. on April 19.
An initial police investigation report said Jaculbe and his wife, together with their three laborers, were sacking their dried corn at a drier when the suspects reportedly arrived at the place.
One of them approached Jaculbe and after confirming the latter’s identity, the suspect pulled a Caliber .45 pistol tucked on his waist and shot the village chief candidate.
Though wounded, Jaculbe tried to flee but was chased and was shot again several times. He was brought to a hospital but the attending physician declared him dead an hour later.
His wife Villa Jaculbe, 52, who reportedly attempted to intervene, was also shot on her right breast but survived.
Senior Police Officer 3 Alexander Calma, police community relations officer of Malaybalay City, said the incident was the first possible election-related violence recorded in Malaybalay in connection with upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan ang Barangay elections. (Mel B. Madera/PNA)
