A barangay captain and a 16-year-old boy were shot dead by at least 10 attackers Saturday in a shooting in Sitio Candollon, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental in what police officials suspect as a family feud motivated killing.
Johnny Condez, 47, chairman of Barangay Kalamtukan in Bayawan town, and Danny Marata Jr., both died on the spot.
PCol. Julian Entoma, officer-in-charge of the Negros Oriental police, said one of the victims’ companions riding with them, Danny Marata Sr., was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment of bullet wounds.
The police arrested Jolan Sandot, the man tagged in the killing of Condez and Marata, who was caught in Sitio Tower in the same village.
According to an initial investigation by the police, Condez and his five companions drove out in a government vehicle and two motorcycles, looking for phone signals, when out of nowhere, the suspects hiding in a sugarcane field started to open fire at the victims.
Police officials recovered 23 bullet shells, a shotgun, two pistols and ammunition from the crime scene.
The police are eyeing family dispute as the cause for the ambush. (RJ Espartinez)