Special team formed to probe killing of Digos City village chief

DIGOS CITY—The police has formed a special investigation task group to focus on solving the murder of a village chief here on Wednesday.

Police Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo, Davao region police director, said they already have a person of interest in the killing of San Jose village chief Angelito Balasbas, which could help hasten the resolution of the case.

Silo vowed to file charges against the suspect within five days.

Balasbas, 50, was gunned down while entering the gate of their home aboard a vehicle at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. He suffered gunshot wounds in various parts of his body and did not make it to the hospital.

READ:P1-M bounty set for capture of Digos village chief’s killer

The village official was a known supporter of the reelection bid of Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas who offered P1 million in bounty from local government funds to those who can provide leads for the capture of the gunman.

Owing to Balasbas’ killing, Davao del Sur Governor Marc Cagas ordered the reimposition of pandemic lockdown-era curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. as a way of deterring the commission of crimes.

Meanwhile, Silo told reporters in Digos City that the police has already filed murder charges against the suspect in the killing of village chief Ronnie Valera of Barangay Matiao in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Valera, a supporter of reelectionist Mayor Michelle Rabat, was gunned down on Maundy Thursday while resting on a hammock in his house.