Suspect in killing of elected village exec in Pagadian City yields

One of the suspects in the killing of an elected village official in Pagadian City last year surrenders to police authorities on Thursday, February 29, 2024. INQUIRER FILES

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — One of the suspects in the killing of an elected village official here last year surrendered to police authorities on Thursday.

Mayor Samuel Co told reporters in a press conference that former Lapedian village chief Nestor Cael turned himself in to the Zamboanga del Sur unit of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on February 29 after learning that the court already issued a warrant for his arrest, as well as for the other suspects.

Cael is linked to the killing of Lapedian punong-barangay-elect Rofoldo Dacol, who defeated him during the village elections on Oct. 30, 2023.

READ: Murder raps filed vs suspects in killing of Pagadian village exec

Dacol was gunned down on November 8 last year, outside his residence.

Witnesses saw Cael driving the vehicle used by the gunmen to flee from the crime scene.

READ: Suspected car theft leader shot dead in Pagadian City

Dacol was supposed to take his oath as newly elected village chief on November 9.

Dacol, a farmer, was an incumbent village councilor before defeating the supposedly well-entrenched Cael in the last polls.