Village executive slain in ambush; daughter hurt

LAOAG CITY – A barangay councilman was killed while his daughter was wounded in an ambush by three motorcycle-riding men in this city Saturday night.

Jessie Jacinto Sr., 50, of Barangay Santa Maria, was driving a tricycle with his wife, daughter and grandchildren on board when they were waylaid in Barangay Sta. Maria at around 8:30 p.m.

Jacinto was declared dead on arrival at the Gov. Roque Ablan Memorial Hospital due to several gunshot wounds in the head and body.

His daughter Jacklyn, 27, suffered seven gunshot wounds and was reported to be in critical condition in the same hospital, police said.

One of the gunmen – identified as Luchimbar Maximo, of Cauayan City, Isabela – was arrested in a followup operation.

Maximo owned up to the killing, saying they were hired to kill Jacinto for P25,000. He told police they had been tailing the victim for three days.

The other suspects, whom Maximo identified as Jonathan Zapata, 42, of Lal-lo, Cagayan and alleged gunman Michael Rumbaoa of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, have yet to be arrested.