Murder raps filed vs suspects in killing of Pagadian village exec

Mourners cry for justice in the killing of newly elected village chief Rofoldo Dacol of Barangay Lapedian. Photo by Leah D. Agonoy

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Police are now pursuing the suspects in the killing of an elected barangay official here who was gunned down last Nov. 8.

Lt. Col. Gilzen Niño Manese, Pagadian city police chief, said that they have filed a murder case against the suspects, although he refused to disclose further information as they are still investigating the incident.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Rofoldo Dacol on Friday with mourners wearing black printed with messages calling for justice.

Dacol won the race for village chief of Barangay Lapedian last Oct. 30. On Nov. 8, on the eve of his scheduled oath-taking, he was gunned down outside his home.

Mourners cry for justice in the killing of newly elected village chief Rofoldo Dacol of Barangay Lapedian. Photo by Leah D. Agonoy

Dacol used to be a village councilor but upon the urging of community folks, he was persuaded to run for village chief against the incumbent.

According to his son Fraynald, a newly elected member of the youth council, Dacol had received death threats before the elections but they just brushed them off.

Rio Perez, Dacol’s sister-in-law, recalled that when rushed to the hospital, the victim mentioned that he had no known enemies except those he had faced in the political contest.

During the oath-taking rites on Nov. 9, Dacol was reserved a seat, his barong Tagalog was hung on the chair while his black pants and belt were placed on the table.

Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, who supported Dacol’s candidacy, vowed to use the resources of the local government to help pursue the suspects in the killing.

READ: Pagadian barangay chief shot dead