THE NEWLY elected village chair of Barangay Datu Abdul in Panabo City, Davao del Norte was killed when his car was peppered with bullets by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 7.
Meanwhile, a request has been made for the creation of a task group to further deepen the investigation.
The Police Regional Office XI identified him as Engr. Paul Albert “Epong” Saquian, a resident of New Visayas in Panabo.
Investigation showed that Saquian was driving his Nissan Almera when the two gunmen intercepted his vehicle and opened fire. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body and was rushed to Rivera Hospital, Panabo City.
Accordingly, Saquian was one of the five candidates for barangay captain’s post in the last elections.
Speaking in the AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Nov. 8, Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of Police Regional Office XI, said they are still determining the motive.
“For now an autopsy on the victim’s body is still ongoing,” Dela Rey said.
She said the dash camera and cellular phone of the victim were also turned over to the Regional Cyber Crime Unit.
Reward money
There is already a request for the creation of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Saquian.
Meanwhile, Congressman Alan Dujali offered a P500,000 reward to those who can pinpoint the perpetrators.
In his statement, Dujali extended his condolences to the family.
“It is sad news to be informed that Paul Albert Saquian, the newly elected barangay captain of Barangay Datu Abdul Dadia, was shot to death by two motorcycle-riding gunmen this afternoon,” Dujali said.
“Whether this is politically motivated or not, this senseless killing is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he said.
“I call on the police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and put those behind this brazen killing to justice,” he added.
Moreover, he said this culture of violence must be stopped as it has no space in a peaceful society like Panabo City.
“We must denounce any attack on human life and stand together in fighting those who do not want peace to reign in Davao del Norte,” he said in a statement.
