PNP to look into killing of 2 village chiefs

Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered on Saturday a thorough investigation of the recent killings of two barangay chiefs from different parts of the country in two separate incidents.

According to police reports, Carlito Pacayra, the 37-year-old chair of Barangay Canlobo in Pinabacdao, Samar, was gunned down while he was resting in a hammock on Thursday.

On Nov. 5, Zoilo de Belen, the 56-year-old first-term village head was shot dead at the boundary arc of Barangay Lambakin in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

“Two barangay captains have been killed, so I order all chiefs of police in the country to set a meeting with the heads of the Association of Barangay Captains in their respective areas of responsibility to discuss how barangay officials can be secured,” Eleazar said.

The directors of Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas police regional offices were ordered 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.

To prevent these crimes, Eleazar also ordered police chiefs and unit commanders to assess if there would be 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,” he said.