Police search for killer of a barangay chairman in Leyte town

Leyte. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities are conducting a manhunt operation to arrest the lone assailant in the killing of a village chief of Barangay Bagabao, Leyte town, Leyte on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Based on the police report, Mary Ann Orillano, village chairman of Barangay Mataloto, also in Leyte, and her male companion, who was only identified as Mar, were riding a motorcycle.

They were traveling from Bagabao towards Mataloto at around 4 p.m. when the perpetrator fired at them.

The lone assailant then fled to the mountain of Bagabao, heading towards Barangay Libertad in Kananga town, Leyte, the report added.

Responding officers arrived at the crime scene and found Orillano with fatal head injuries.

Mar, on the other hand, was hit in the different parts of his body and was rushed to the hospital by a local resident using a private vehicle.

Neighboring police stations have been alerted, and checkpoints have been set up to monitor possible escape routes.

The motive behind the attack is still unknown.

The town of Leyte is part of the third district of Leyte which has been identified to be a potential hotspot in connection with next year’s elections due to previous election-related shootings.