ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — A barangay chairman and his wife were seriously wounded after being shot in San Juan, Isabela, on Saturday, October 3.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the victims were reportedly on their way home after attending a wake when they were ambushed.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, while two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
“Ito ay iniimbestigahan natin at tinitingnan. We are doing our own police investigative work, not just relying on what they are saying. Tinitingnan natin ang koneksyon nila sa mga other people in the area,” Co said.
According to Co, the suspects have previous cases, some of which were dismissed while others remain under investigation.
One of the suspects had a murder case filed in October 2014, but this was dismissed for lack of probable cause.
He was also linked to another murder case filed in January this year, but the case did not push through after the victim refused to file charges.
“‘Yung isa naman ay may murder case noong February 2019. Again, dismissed due to insufficiency in evidence and a serious physical injury case,” Co added.
Police are also looking into the possibility that the attack was a case of gun-for-hire.
Authorities are also investigating who may have ordered the attack and whether the suspects have links to other individuals in the area.
Police are also checking whether the couple had received threats prior to the incident.
“Ito ay tinitingnan pa rin natin. They are still recovering from their injuries at nagpapagaling pa,” Co said.
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